Washington CNN  —  Spending at US retailers rose in March for the second consecutive month, underscoring the strength of the US consumer fueled by a robust job market. Retail sales rose 0.7% in March from the prior month, a slower pace than February’s upwardly revised 0.9% gain, the Commerce Department reported Monday. That was also well above economists’ forecasts. The figures are adjusted for seasonal swings but not inflation. Retail spending has increased in seven of the past 10 months through March.