US retail sales in February saw a slight increase of 0.2% after a sharp decline in January, a sign that Americans are becoming more cautious with their spending habits amidst economic uncertainties. The Commerce Department reported that sales rose at grocery stores, home and garden stores, and online retailers, but fell at auto dealers, restaurants, and electronics stores. The rise in sales suggests that consumers may be feeling uncertain due to the stock market plunge and concerns over President Trump’s tariff threats and government spending cuts. According to a recent survey by the University of Michigan, consumer sentiment has fallen sharply for the third consecutive month, with respondents citing policy uncertainty as a major reason for their pessimistic outlook. While Republicans were slightly more optimistic about the current economy compared to Democrats, both parties showed a decrease in confidence about the economy’s future.Overall, the data indicates that American consumers are holding back on spending as they grapple with economic uncertainties.
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