Consumer Behavior

Census data reveals steady retail April sales despite tariff concerns

Photo: Adobe Stock

May 29, 2025

Shoppers were engaged and shopping in April despite concern over tariffs, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Overall retail sales in April were up 0.1% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 5.2% unadjusted year over year, according to a press release from the National Retail Federation. That compared with increases of 1.7% month over month and 5.2% year over year in March.

April's core retail sales as defined by NRF — based on the Census data but excluding automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants — were down 0.1% seasonally adjusted month over month but up 5.1% unadjusted year over year.