Retail sales in the U.S. increased in April, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor powered by Affinity Solutions and released by the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Total retail sales, excluding auto sales and gas stations, rose 0.72% seasonally adjusted from March and were up 6.76% unadjusted year over year. In comparison, March saw gains of 0.6% month over month and 4.75% year over year.

“Spending rose again in April, driven largely by consumers continuing to pull purchases forward to stay ahead of tariffs that will inevitably lead to higher prices,” says NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. “Despite declines in confidence caused by the economic uncertainty that has come with tariffs, consumer fundamentals remain intact, supported by low unemployment, slower-but-steady income growth, and solid household finances. Consumers maintain their ability to spend and have strong reasons to spend now before tariffs can drive up prices or cause shortages on store shelves.”

Core retail sales—which exclude restaurants, auto sales, and gas stations—increased 0.9% month over month in April and 7.11% year over year. In March, those figures were up 0.4% and 5.07%, respectively. For the first four months of 2025, total retail sales were up 5.08% year over year, and core retail sales rose 5.5%. Year-over-year sales growth was influenced in part by the timing of Easter, which fell in April this year, compared with March in 2024.

Unlike survey-based data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the NRF shares that the Retail Monitor uses anonymized credit and debit card transaction data collected by Affinity Solutions and does not require monthly or annual revisions.

Sales increased in 8 out of 9 retail categories on both a monthly and yearly basis in April. The following are highlights from key sectors seasonally adjusted month over month and unadjusted year over year:

• Digital products were up 0.62% from last month and up 27.67% compared to last year.
• Electronics and appliance stores were up 2.8% from last month and up 10.5% compared to last year.
• Grocery and beverage stores were up 0.59% from last month and up 9.51% compared to last year.
• Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores were up 0.81% from last month and up 9.19% compared to last year.
• Health and personal care stores were up 1.43% from last month and up 8.51% compared to last year.
• General merchandise stores were down 0.02% from last month but up 6.67% compared to last year.
• Clothing and accessories stores were up 1.14% from last month and up 5.14% compared to last year.
• Furniture and home furnishings stores were up 0.86% from last month and up 0.09% compared to last year.
• Building and garden supply stores were up 2.77% from last month but down 2.1% compared to last year.