This being on the Heels of Amazon and other major retailers being busted for jacking prices.

Makes one question whether that’s actual increased spending or them just fleecing people for the same amount of product.

There’s also a phenomenon where people will continue spending and spending. If they don’t have much hope for the future. As opposed to scrimping and saving.

So that could factor into the seemingly apparent increase in retail spending

U.S. consumers spent far more at American retail stores, gas stations, and online than economists had forecast, showing no signs that the household sector has shied away from everyday or major purchases due to higher gas prices or concerns over the conflict with Iran.

Retail sales rose 1.7 percent in March, an acceleration from the previous month’s 0.7 percent gain, data from the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau showed Tuesday. Economists had forecast a 1.4 percent increase. Compared with a year ago, sales are up four percent.

The rising price of fuel was seen as likely to drive up sales at gas stations while depressing sales elsewhere. Gas station sales surged 15.5 percent compared with February. The price of gasoline rose 21.2 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said in a report released on April 10.

But even outside of gas stations, there was no sign of a slowdown in spending. Excluding gas stations, sales rose 0.6 percent, beating forecasts for a 0.2 percent gain. Compared with a year ago, sales excluding gas stations are up 2.9 percent.

This indicates consumer spending remained solid in March, rising despite higher energy prices and uncertainty created by the war with Iran. It is likely that the larger-than-usual tax refunds from President Trump’s tax cuts last year, as well as lower withholding due to those cuts, are helping to support consumer spending

Back out the increase money consumers are paying for fuel.

Spending that tax refund that I wish I had gotten.