https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/retail-sales-slump-in-julyContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/retail-sales-slump-in-julyhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/retail-sales-slump-in-july#u44439Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:35:49 +0000US retail sales fell 0.6% in July, marking the biggest drop in more than a year. Consumers cut spending sharply as inflation erodes buying power, leading to a plunge in consumer sentiment. This slump represents the weakest retail performance for the US economy in over twelve months. The decline indicates a significant shift in consumer behavior as households react to the rising cost of living.Why it mattersConsumer spending is a primary driver of US economic growth. A sustained decline in retail sales often signals a broader economic slowdown. The current drop coincides with persistent inflati