NEW YORK — Shoppers returned to the nation's malls last month, buying a surprising amount of spring clothing and other items and helping stores post the strongest retail sales since November 2007, a month before the recession began.

The better-than-expected 3.7 percent gain reported Thursday showed Americans are still thrifty, but they are letting go of some of the frugality brought on by the economic downturn.

Consumers "are now starting to go back to where they had typically shopped" before the recession, said Michael Niemira, chief economist at the International Council of Shopping Centers, who expected a 2 percent gain.

But, he added, there's still uncertainty about whether such a robust pace can be sustained, particularly later this year when the sales figures are compared with more stabilized patterns.

The February sales report was the third consecutive monthly increase, according to the ICSC.

Stores in malls, which had seen sales plunge as their customers traded down to cheaper options, are starting to bring shoppers back by offering lower-priced or exclusive items.