Census data shows the impacts of the pandemic on U.S. small businesses. BALTIMORE (AP) - U.S. retail sales tumbled 16.4% from March to April as business shutdowns caused by the coronavirus kept shoppers away, threatened stores across the country and weighed down a sinking economy.
The Commerce Department’s report Friday on retail purchases showed a sector that has collapsed so quickly that sales over the past 12 months are down a crippling 21.6%. RELATED: CoronavirusNOW.com, FOX launches national hub for COVID-19 news and updates The sharpest drops from March to April were at clothiers, electronics stores, furniture stores and restaurants.