Retail Sales Decline 2.1% in August

etail sales fell 2.1% in August from the previous month, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

The level fell lower than the 1.4% decline predicted by economists, Bloomberg reported. It followed a 1.8% increase in July.

Almost all trucking operations depend on the health of retail sales because such sales involve nearly every type of cargo.

ales at automobile dealerships and auto parts stores fell 12% after gaining 6.3% in July. Sales at filling stations rose 4.4% following a 4% increase a month earlier.

Sales at general merchandise stores, including department stores, rose 0.3% after a 0.2% drop in July.