February retail sales gains offer hope for the economy

Summary Box: Strong February sales

FEBRUARY’S SALES GAINS: Retailers reported a 3.7 percent sales gain, the strongest performance since November 2007, a month before the start of the recession, according to a trade group.

THE TREND: It marked the third consecutive monthly increase for the sector and followed December’s 3.6 percent increase and January’s 3 percent gain.

BEHIND THE FIGURES: The numbers are being compared with a 4.3 percent drop a year ago, so spending is still below 2008 levels.