Retail sales fell 0.9% in May, the steepest decline in four months, as tariff concerns dampened auto purchases and cooler weather hurt sales.

Retail sales fell sharply in May as consumers pulled back from a spending surge early this year to get ahead of President ...

The engine of this economy — consumers — slowed in May. Consumer spending is responsible for more than two-thirds of gross domestic product in the U.S.

Yet many categories saw sharp declines. Car sales plunged 3.5%, while sales at home and garden centers dropped 2.7%. They fell 0.6% at electronics and appliance stores and 0.7% at grocery stores.