Retail sales slowed sharply in March, underscoring that Americans’ wherewithal to spend is waning after a weather-induced buying spree early in the year. Sales fell 1%, more than the 0.4% decline economists expected. Excluding volatile autos and gasoline, sales declined 0.3%. Consumer spending was solid in January and February but economists traced the performance to unusually warm weather that boosted retail and restaurant revenue along with travel. Retail sales slowed in late 2022 and many economists expect that trend to resume as inflation, rapidly rising interest rates and stricter bank lending standards after ... (full story)