Sales fell at a softer pace for automotive fuel in specialized stores (-9.7% vs -12.9% in February).

Trade slowed for food, beverages, & tobacco (2.1% vs 4.2%), while it tumbled for non-food products except automotive fuel (-1.9% vs 2.7%).

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail trade grew 1.9% in March after showing no growth in the prior period, data showed.