Retail sales in 2025 ended on a down note with a report from the U.S. Commerce Department showing consumer activity did not pick up in December.

Consumer activity slowed sharply for the December holiday shopping season.

Retail sales in 2025 ended on a down note with a report from the U.S. Commerce Department showing consumer activity did not pick up in December.

Retail sales were unexpectedly flat in December as consumers pulled back, raising questions about a broader economic slowdown.