Retail sales in the United States experienced a significant decline of 0.9% in May, surpassing expectations and marking the largest drop in four months. This decline is attributed to consumers pulling back sharply on spending, particularly in light of ongoing tariffs and trade wars that have created anxiety among shoppers. Americans have notably scaled back their expenditures, especially at restaurants, reflecting a cautious attitude following a spring surge aimed at mitigating the effects of tariffs. While the National Retail Federation noted a year-over-year rise in retail sales, the current economic conditions are raising concerns about a potential slowdown as consumer confidence wanes and recession fears mount.