(AURN News) — More bad news for the U.S. economy. U.S. retail and food service sales fell 0.9% in January to $723.9 billion, according to recent data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The monthly report, based on a survey of approximately 4,800 retail and food service firms, showed widespread declines across multiple sectors. Furniture and home furnishing stores, food and beverage establishments, and general merchandise stores all reported decreased sales.

The January decline comes as economists await February's sales figures, scheduled for release on March 17, to determine if the downturn represents the beginning of a longer-term trend.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices