Retail sales fall modestly in January as American consumers pull back on spending
ABC News
American consumers pulled back their spending to start 2026, extending the slump in retail sales that began late last year
American consumers pulled back their spending to start 2026, extending the malaise in retail sales that began late last year.
Retail sales fell 0.2% in January following a flat reading in December. January's figure came in below the forecasts of economists, who were expecting another flat reading, according to the Commerce Department's report issued on Friday. The report was delayed because of the 43-day government shutdown.
Sales at health and personal health stores were among the worst performers, falling 3% from December. Gas stations saw declines in receipts of 2.9% and sales at clothing stores fell 1.7% from December.
Among the categories that saw gains were home furnishings and building materials, which includes landscape and gardening supplies. Sales at furniture and home furnishing stores rose 0.7%, while building materials sales rose 0.6%.
The snapshot offers only a partial look at consumer spending and doesn’t include many services, including travel and hotel lodges. But the lone services category – restaurants – registered a dip of 0.2%.
Air China will resume flights between Beijing and North Korea starting on March 30 after train services restarted earlier this week
A strong chemical smell has forced a temporary halt to flights at four major airports near Washington, D.C. The FAA says air traffic controllers cannot manage traffic safely during the incident
U.S. job openings rose to nearly 7 million in January, better than expected at a time when the American labor market has looked sluggish
Advocates say alligator farming has turned the demand for boots and bags into a boost for a species often seen as scary, bothersome or good only for their leathery skins
The U.S. economy, hobbled by last fall’s 43-day government shutdown, advanced at a sluggish 0.7% annual rate from October through December, the Commerce Department reported Friday in a big downgrade of its initial estimate
China has sharply reduced its warplane flights near Taiwan and analysts aren't sure why
South African soldiers deployed in the country’s high-crime areas have dismantled illegal mining operations Johannesburg
The Panama Canal's administrator says the war in the Middle East and higher fuel prices make the canal more appealing for shippers
Tom Dundon has sold a portion of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes to three new minority owners
An artisanal mine collapse in the Central African Republic has killed eight miners and injures five others
The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose again this week, reflecting ongoing bond market jitters over the war with Iran
The biggest new restaurant trend is small
Some commercial ships near or in the Strait of Hormuz and in the Persian Gulf have declared themselves as China-linked since the Iran war began, marine traffic data show, as their operators try to reduce risks of being targeted in attacks