U.S. December Retail Sales Suffer Biggest Drop in Nine Years

The video discusses a significant drop in retail sales, with core control down 1.7% in December, following a 1% rise in November. The decline is widespread across various retail sectors, indicating a broader economic issue. Despite potential revisions, the December numbers are expected to remain negative. The holiday season, typically a strong period for retail, showed mixed results with November up and December down. Proprietary data suggests continued softness into January. Jobless claims remain within normal noise levels, but the retail sales drop is a notable concern for consumer trends.

What does the speaker imply about the future of retail sales based on current indicators?

What is indicated about consumer behavior in December based on the retail sales numbers?