The National Retail Federation says new data from the US Census Bureau shows shoppers continued to spend in April 2025 despite ongoing concerns over tariffs on imported goods.

Retail sales have see-sawed this year amid President Donald Trump's chaotic tariffs policy. A 25% global car and truck duty went into effect in April, unleashing a wave of pre-emptive buying by households eager to avoid higher motor vehicle prices.

In a sign that consumer demand may be fraying around the edges, spending at US retailers slowed sharply in April to 0.1% after a surge of 1.7% in March as shoppers rushed to beat President Donald Trump’s stiff tariffs.