US consumers hit the stores for seasonal home goods, furniture and apparel in March, sending retail sales surging past expectations.

According to the National Retail Federation, March retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) increased by 0.9 percent over February and were up 5.7 percent year-on-year.

"It's evident consumers were feeling much better about the economy and their finances last month," said Rosalind Wells, chief economist for the NRF.

March data released by the US Commerce Department show total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 1.6 percent in February and 10 year-on-year.

"Pent up demand combined with an early Easter and warm Spring weather significantly boosted consumers' moods and retail sales," Wells said.

Stores that sell apparel, home goods, outdoor equipment and furniture saw the biggest increases. Clothing and clothing accessory stores sales increased 2.3 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 9.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

Building material, garden equipment and supplies sales increased 3.1 percent seasonally adjusted over February and 3.3 percent unadjusted from last year.

Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores increased 1.5 percent seasonally adjusted from last month and 6.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

Sporting goods, hobby book and music stores sales were also solid with seasonally adjusted sales increasing 1.0 percent month-to-month and 9.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

As the world's largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, the NRF's global membership includes retailers of all sizes, formats and channels of distribution as well as chain restaurants and industry partners from the US and more than 45 countries abroad.

In the US, NRF represents more than 1.6 million companies that employ nearly 25 million workers and generated 2009 sales of $2.3 trillion.

Source: Cargo News Asia