Black Friday retail sales growth picked up this year, Mastercard said Saturday, as shoppers shook off economic uncertainty and weak sentiment.

Why it matters: The consumer remains the engine of the U.S. economy, and a strong start to the holiday season will be reassuring to those who questioned whether tariffs and a soft labor market might crimp demand.

By the numbers: Friday's retail sales excluding autos rose 4.1%, Mastercard SpendingPulse said in a statement. That's stronger than last year's 3.4% growth. • Online sales rose 10.4%; in-store sales rose 1.7%. The data are not adjusted for inflation. • Demand was strongest for clothes and jewelry.

The Mastercard data lines up with other evidence that shoppers turned out Friday. • Pass_by, which analyzes retail foot traffic, said in

See Full Page