Furniture Tops March Retail Sales Figures

April 12, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on April 13, 2011 A surge in furniture and home furnishings sales led the roster in U.S. retail sales figures released by the Commerce Department today.

Home furnishings and furniture purchases jumped 3.6 percent last month, the biggest gain for the sector in more than six years.

According to the numbers, total retail sales in March rose 0.4 percent from the previous month to $389.32 billion. It was the ninth consecutive monthly gain. Retail sales for February were revised a little higher to an increase of 1.1 percent from a previously estimated 1 percent.

 Clothing sales rose 0.6 percent.

Automobile sales dropped 1.7 percent in March. Overall sales, excluding cars and automobile parts, rose 0.8 percent  in March.