An uptick on sales of cars and parts helped drive the gain that came in above forecasts. A spurt in sales of cars and parts helped retail sales post a 1.4% gain in March, above estimates, the Census Bureau said on Wednesday.

U.S. retail sales increased by the most in more than two years in March as households stepped up purchases of motor vehicles and a range of other goods to avoid higher prices from tariffs, likely barely keeping the economy afloat in the first quarter.