US retail sales were flat in December closing out year on a lackluster tone

Furniture and home furnishing stores posted a 0.9% drop, while electronics and appliance stores had a 0.4% dip. Clothing and accessories retailers registered a 0.7% decline - (Getty Images)

Shoppers pulled back the pace of their spending in December from November, closing out the holiday season and the year on a lackluster tone.

Retail sales were flat in December from November, when business was up 0.6%, according to the Commerce Department.