U.S. retail sales dropped by the most in nearly two years in January, likely because of frigid temperatures and moderation following hefty gains in the past four months, suggesting a sharp slowdown in economic growth early in the first quarter.

U.S. retail sales dropped sharply last month, in part because cold weather kept more Americans indoors and dented sales at car dealers and most other stores

US retail sales plunged by the most in almost two years last month as cold weather hit the country alongside wildfires in California, data showed Friday, reflecting broad declines while