Cold weather and the continued influence of payroll tax hikes caused a dip in March retail sales from February, according to the National Retail Federation.

Despite a 0.2 percent decreases in March retail sales seasonally adjusted from February (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants), sales were up .6 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

March sales figures released Friday by the U.S. Department of Commerce showed a similar trend with total retail and food services sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants) decreasing 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and increasing 2.8 percent adjusted year-over-year.