Retail sales unexpectedly fall

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Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2000 | 10:44 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- Sales by the nation's retailers fell by a surprising 0.4 percent in November, led by the biggest drop in auto sales in more than two years.

Last month's decline marked the weakest performance since retail sales dropped by 0.5 percent in April, the Commerce Department reported today. Many analysts had expected sales to rise slightly.

In October, sales were flat, according to revised figures. The government previously reported a 0.1 percent increase.

The holiday shopping season, meanwhile, hasn't given retailers a lot to cheer about. Mall traffic is down and sales are soft. Merchants also worry that the big snowstorm raking the Midwest will hurt sales.