Spending at US retailers last month was much weaker than expected, in a troubling sign that the American shopper could be starting to tap out.

Sales increased ​less than the 0.6% gain expected by economists, while figures for the prior month were revised lower.

U.S. retail sales rebounded in February, suggesting that the economy continued to grow in the first quarter, though at a moderate pace as tariffs on imports and mass firings of federal government workers weigh on sentiment.