{
  "id": 886836,
  "title": "US retail sales weakest in over a year, consumer sentiment plunges",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-retail-sales-weakest-in-over-a-year-consumer-sentiment-plunges",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-14T16:42:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20260815/us-retail-sales-weakest-in-over-a-year-consumer-sentiment-plunges"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "U.S. retail sales reached their weakest level in over a year, while consumer sentiment experienced a significant decline, according to data released on Friday. The Department of Commerce reported a 0.6 percent decrease in total U.S. retail sales in July, amounting to $763.6 billion compared to the previous month. Simultaneously, the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment survey revealed that confidence plummeted by approximately eight percent in August, marking a reversal of two months of progress.\n\nThe ongoing war between the United States and Israel, which began on February 28, has had far-reaching consequences for the Middle East and global energy markets. The conflict has resulted in skyrocketing energy prices, primarily due to Tehran's retaliatory attacks on Washington's Gulf allies and the disruption of a fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies. These rising energy costs have contributed to an already elevated inflation rate, surpassing the U.S. Federal Reserve's long-term two-percent target. The surge in inflation has disproportionately affected American households that have been struggling under years of high prices. Expectations for inflation over the next year have also risen, from 4.2 percent in July to 4.3 percent.",
  "summary": "WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales gave their weakest showing in more than a year and consumer sentiment plunged, data showed Friday, as households battered by fallout from President Donald Trump's Iran war curbed spending and raised their expectations of inflation. Total U.S. retail sales were down 0.6 percent in July from the previous month, at $763.6 billion, said the Department of Commerce. A new…",
  "key_points": [
    "U.S. retail sales fell 0.6% in July to $763.6 billion",
    "Consumer sentiment declined 8% in August",
    "Ongoing U.S.-Israel war raises global energy prices"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "US retail sales weakest in over a year, consumer sentiment plunges",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-retail-sales-weakest-in-over-a-year-consumer-sentiment-plunges-887734",
        "published": "2026-08-14T16:52:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}