WASHINGTON -- U.S. retail sales unexpectedly rose 0.2 percent in March, pushed up by a jump in gasoline sales, a government report released on Monday showed.

Sales at gasoline stations rose 1.1 percent, the Commerce Department said. Excluding gasoline sales, retail sales were flat last month, evidence that consumers are wary about spending in an economy that appears to be contracting.

Analysts polled by Reuters were expecting retail sales to be unchanged from the previous month.

Excluding automobiles, retail sales rose 0.1 percent, in line with expectations.

Sales at shops selling items connected to housing were down. Building materials and supplies sales slid 1.6 percent, while furniture and appliance store sales were also down.

Story Continues Below

Clothing store and general merchandise stores also saw declines in sales.

However, some types of stores saw gains. Food and beverage store sales were up 0.4 percent, and non-store retailer sales rose 2.1 percent.

Editor's note:
Turn the Recession into Your Own Personal Financial Bonanza
Cash in on the Shocking Growth of Personal Debt
Why the Dollar May Have Hit Bottom. New Actions to Take Now.
Four Reasons to Own This Medical Devices ETF