Retail sales in February were up 8.6 percent over the same month a year ago, according to the National Retail Federation.
The seasonally adjusted increase, which excludes automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, was 0.5 percent.
NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said mild weather helped drive consumers to go shopping in a normally slow month.
Despite the year-over-year increase, Shay said rising gasoline prices are a concern for retailers because they cut into consumers’ disposable income.
