Retail Sales Stall Amid Economic Uncertainty, Signaling Threats to American Prosperity

As the calendar flipped to a new year, American consumers closed out 2023 with a noticeable pause in retail spending—retail sales were flat in December compared to November, defying economists’ expectations for growth. This stagnation is not merely a seasonal quirk but a symptom of deeper economic unease fueled by Washington’s policy missteps and global uncertainties. Why Are Hardworking Americans Holding Back Their Spending? Consumers are the backbone of our economy, yet the latest Commerce Department data reveals many shoppers are tightening their belts. Despite strong GDP growth from July through September—the fastest in two years—job creation has slowed dramatically...