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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Anne d'Innocenzio

Retail sales rise 0.6% in February, but impact of Iran war threatens to derail spending

California H Mart - (© 2026 Brontë Wittpenn / S.F. Chronicle)

Shoppers increased their spending in February, particularly on cars and clothing, after pulling back at the start of the year due to severe winter storms.

Retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.6% in February, from a revised 0.1% decline in January, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

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