Retailers post strong gains in March

New York City Warmer weather, an improving job picture and an earlier Easter helped retailers post strong gains in same-store sales in March, with many beating analysts’ expectations.

According to Thomson Reuters, retail same-store sales rose 9.1% in March, the biggest gain since the company began tracking those numbers in 2000.

“The consumer is really coming out of hibernation and feeling better about their situation," said Ken Perkins, president of RetailMetrics, a research firm, in an Associated Press report.

“We saw all month larger crowds in stores," Perkins said, "In both mall and off-mall stores."

However, some retail executives and analysts warned the March surge could be short-lived as consumers may have shifted much of their spending into the month at the expense of future purchases. In a statement, Macy's chief executive Terry J. Lundgren cautioned the early Easter will cut into April results. He expects same-store sales to be flat in April.