Economic Watch: U.S. retail sales fall in July, raising concerns over consumer spending

US consumers cut retail spending sharply in July | CNN Business

Retail sales in the US fell 0.6% in July—worst drop since May 2025—as hiring faltered with 23,000 jobs lost and worker availability at 1967 lows. Tech budget downgrades likely follow: enterprise spending cycles will compress and capex investments deferred as recession signals intensify.