Retail sales surge 9.8 percent in March, spurred by stimulus
Source: The Hill
BY NIV ELIS - 04/15/21 08:51 AM EDT
Retail sales in March surged 9.8 percent as $1,400 stimulus checks were issued, the weather improved, and vaccination rates increased.
The figure was well above the 6.1 percent economists expected, and was a return to form after major storms in February led to a 3 percent drop. That figure was revised upward to 2.7 percent.
The $619.1 billion in sales was a whopping 27.7 percent higher than last March, when the pandemic hit in earnest and lockdowns took hold across the country.
Paired with a stronger-than-expected showing in weekly jobless claims, which fell significantly to 576,000, stock market futures jumped, with a 150-point increase, or 0.5 percent, expected for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/finance/548375-retail-sales-surge-98-percent-in-march-spurred-by-stimulus
= new reply since forum marked as read
My husband is having two leg surgeries soon and he has an old sunk-in bed.
The bed I have is no better and waking up in pain really sucks. UGH!
So, two new beds are en route! 
I have never spent so much $$$ on anything like the beds I just bought ever.
I deserve it.
We all deserve it!
Thank you President Biden for helping this disabled family. 
I am proud to spend my stimulus money by giving back to our local economy! 
& recommend !!
