US retail sales rose a very robust 0.7% month-on-month in March versus 0.4% expected with only one forecaster predicting this outcome out of 64 analysts. February’s growth rate was revised up to +0.9% from +0.6% MoM with March strength led by non-store retailers (+2.7% MoM), general merchandise (+1.1%) and gasoline stations sales (up 2.1%). There was some weakness though with sporting goods (-1.8%), clothing (-1.6%) electronics (-1.2% and motor vehicles (-0.7%) all falling. The means that the control group, which excludes volatile items and better matches with broader spending trends, rose 1.1% versus the 0.4% ... (full story)