U.S. retail sales up on the week

WASHINGTON, March 18 (UPI) -- Retail sales in the United States increased 0.4 percent for the week ended March 15, the International Council of Shopping Centers-USB reported Tuesday.

The gain is slightly ahead of the previous week, when retail store sales rose 0.3 percent.

On a year-over-year basis sales grew 1.6 percent on the week, "in lockstep with the prior week's pace," the report said.

Sales improved even as the average price of gasoline hit a record $3.284 per gallon during the week ending Monday.

In general, high gas prices are "curbing the consumer's ability and willingness to spend," the report said.