US Retail Sales In January Log Biggest Fall In Almost A Year

US retail sales fell 0.8 percent between December and January, according to Commerce Department data, with gas station sales down (Credit: AFP)

Retail sales in the United States slipped more than anticipated last month, retreating after the holiday season and bogged down by auto sales and gas prices, government data showed Thursday.

The 0.8 percent seasonally adjusted decline went beyond analyst expectations of a 0.2 percent drop, bringing total sales down to $700.3 billion, the Commerce Department said.