US retail sales fell 0.4 percent in March

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Sales at U.S. retailers fell in March from February, indicating that higher taxes and weak hiring likely made some consumers more cautious about spending.

Retail sales declined a seasonally adjusted 0.4 percent last month, the Commerce Department said Friday. That followed a 1 percent gain in February and a 0.1 percent decline in January.

Both February and January figures were revised lower.

Consumers cut back across a wide range of categories last month.

Sales at auto dealers dropped 0.6 percent. Gas-station sales dropped 2.2 percent, partly reflecting lower prices.

The retail figures aren’t adjusted for price changes.