US government figures show that sales at US retail stores rose modestly in March, aided by stronger sales at new car dealers.
February's sales decline was also revised to a smaller drop than previously reported.
The Commerce Department said overall retail sales rose 0.6% last month after a revised 0.8% February fall that had been reported as a 1.4% drop. Sales excluding new cars and parts rose 0.4% in March following a revised 0.3% decrease in February.
The March figures were in line with Wall Street economists' forecasts for an overall 0.5% sales rise and for a 0.4% gain excluding cars and parts. Sales of new cars and parts climbed 1.6% in March, bouncing back from a 2.8% February drop.
Despite analysts' concern that consumer spending might come under pressure as costs for energy and other goods rise, retail sales in the first quarter of this year have shown a relatively strong performance. Total sales for the January-March quarter this year were up 8.3% from the comparable first quarter of 2005.
