US retail sales jump on war-driven gas prices

US retail sales saw a significant increase of 1.7% in March, following a revised 0.7% gain in February. The primary driver of the surge was a spike in gasoline prices, which is linked to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, now in its eighth week. Despite the rise in sales, President Donald Trump's approval rating on his handling of the economy has reportedly fallen. The data highlights the war's direct impact on the US domestic economy and consumer spending.