Dive Brief:

• Retail sales in the country rose .1% from March to $434.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce reported Tuesday morning.

• The results reflected a 4% increase from April 2013, and total sales from February through April this year were up 3.3% over last year, according to the report.

• A Reuters poll of economists had a forecast of .4% after the Commerce Dept. had reported a 1.2% retail sales boost in March. 

Dive Insight:

The government’s April retail sales report is something of a disappointment after March’s healthy report. It's an indication that, while shoppers spent more in March after laying low during terrible winter weather, they are still holding back. The report also said that hiring is up. So there is continued reason for optimism, but the slowdown means retailers may continue to lower prices as enticements to lure in still-hesitant shoppers.