U.S. retail sales plummeted 8.7% in March, a record drop as the viral outbreak closed down thousands of stores and shoppers stayed home. (Photo by Robin Pope/NurPhoto via Getty Images) WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S.
retail sales plummeted 8.7% in March, an unprecedented decline, as the viral outbreak forces an almost complete lock down of commerce nationwide.
The deterioration of sales far outpaces the previous record decline of 3.9% that took place during the depths of the Great Recession in November 2008. RELATED: CoronavirusNOW.com, FOX launches national hub for COVID-19 news and updates Auto sales dropped 25.6%, while clothing store sales collapsed, sliding 50.5%.