US retail sales fall as Americans turn cautious after spending early to beat tariffs

Retail income fell sharply successful May arsenic consumers pulled backmost aft a crisp summation successful spending successful March to get up of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs connected astir each imports

WASHINGTON -- Retail income fell sharply successful May arsenic consumers pulled backmost aft a crisp summation successful spending successful March to get up of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs connected astir each imports.

Sales astatine retail stores and restaurants dropped 0.9% successful May, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, aft a diminution of 0.1% successful April. The fig was pulled down by a steep driblet successful car sales, aft Americans ramped up their car-buying successful March to get up of Trump’s 25% work connected imported cars and car parts. Excluding autos, income fell 0.3%.

The income driblet comes aft crisp declines successful consumer assurance this year. Still, ostentation has cooled steadily and unemployment remains low, which could substance dependable spending successful the coming months, arsenic the system has remained mostly solid.

Sales dropped 2.7% past period astatine location and plot centers, 0.6% astatine electronics and appliance stores, and 0.7% astatine market stores. There were immoderate agleam spots: Sales roseate 0.9% astatine online retailers, 0.8% astatine covering stores, and 1.2% astatine furnishings stores.

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