Depending on where you look, February’s retail results are a confusing mixed bag – up 0.2% on a seasonally-adjusted basis from January or down year-over-year unadjusted.

U.S. retail sales rebounded marginally in February as consumers pulled back on discretionary spending, reinforcing the growing uncertainty over the economy against the backdrop of tariffs and mass firings of federal government workers.

Key Takeaways Retail sales rose 0.2% in February after falling 1.2% in January, less of a rebound than forecasters had anticipated.Sales at restaurants dipped 1.5%, a sharp decrease that suggested some people are tightening their belts.