WASHINGTON -- Sales at the nation's retailers barely budged in February as bad winter weather kept already cautious shoppers away from the malls.
The Commerce Department's report, released Tuesday, raised fresh concerns that consumers could tighten the belt further, causing economic growth to slow even more than anticipated.
Retail sales edged up only 0.
1 percent in February. Sales were flat in January as shoppers took a breather after buying briskly during the holidays.
"Households hit the deep freeze when it came to spending," said Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Economic Advisors.
Shoppers cut spending in February on a wide range of goods, including home furnishings, building and garden supplies, clothing, electronics and appliances, and sporting goods, books and music. They also ate out less.
A bright spot was auto sales, which went up by 0.
9 percent in February. That followed a decrease of the same size in the previous month.
The latest retail sales figures were weaker than economists were forecasting.
They expected sales to go up by 0.3 percent.
Excluding auto sales, which can swing widely from month to month, sales at all other merchants in February actually dipped by 0.
1 percent, the worst performance since October. Economists were predicting a better showing -- a 0.3 percent rise -- in this category in February.
Consumer spending plays a major role in shaping overall economic activity, and therefore is closely watched by economists.
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