Retail Sales picked up just before tariffs
Ahead of upcoming tariffs, retail sales jumped 5.2% year-over-year in March—double 2024’s 2.6% growth rate. This surge likely reflects consumers accelerating purchases, especially of durable goods, to avoid expected price hikes once the tariffs are fully implemented.
Click here for the latest Lehigh Valley Economic Review.
Listen to Economic Pulse Fridays at 5:44 PM during All Things Considered; Mondays at 7:30 AM during Morning Edition.
(Original air-date: 5/16/25)