Retailers' March Sales Not as Bleak as Expected

By Jessica Wohl

March was not as bad as expected for U.S. retailers, at least as far as initial sales reports show, suggesting that shoppers largely ignored higher gasoline prices and other concerns to treat themselves.

U.S. retailers overall are likely to show a drop in March same-store sales, hurt by Easter falling three weeks later than last year, which delays some spring clothing purchases.

Chilly weather and rising inflation were also expected to hurt discretionary purchases.