Luxury sales posted a 22.7% year-over-year increase in March, 2010, according to the summary results of MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse (a macro-economic report tracking national retail and service sales).

However, it is important to note that the growth is measured against March 2009, a month in which there were significant double digit declines in this sector.

The eCommerce channel also fared well (up 18.4% from last year), marking its 8th consecutive month of double digit growth. The channel continues to grow at a faster rate than traditional brick and mortar stores.

The report also found that most retail sectors continued to demonstrate solid year-over-year gains in March as easy year-over-year comparisons helped produce positive growth rates, albeit sales levels in several sectors are still off from the highs of 24 months ago. From a geographic point of view spending was positive across most regions of the country, the Pacific Coast being the exception.

Michael McNamara, Vice President, Research and Analysis for SpendingPulse, observes "Areas showing the largest year-over-year increases were online sales and luxury retailers. In addition, all areas of apparel were also comfortably in positive territory. Prices maintained their levels as inventories continued to be aligned with demand and retailers did not seem to have had to resort to discounting in order to drive traffic during the Easter shopping season."