Retail sales down in September

Friday, Oct. 11, 2002 | 9:50 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Consumers sharply cut back on their spending in September, driving down sales at the nation's retailers by 1.2 percent, the largest drop in 10 months.

The Commerce Department's report today sent a trouble sign for the struggling economic recovery, raising new questions about consumers' willingness to spend in the months ahead, including the holiday shopping season.

The 1.2 percent decline in retail sales in September -- the largest drop since November -- followed a solid 0.6 percent rise in August.

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