Retail Sales Drop Signals Economic Slowdown and Impact on Consumer Spending

• Retail sales declining more than expected in January, signaling slowing consumer resilience

• Higher interest rates emerging in areas like mortgages and auto loans, slowing the economy and pressuring consumers

• Consumers will keep spending "as long as they have a job"

• Leading economic indicators and rising costs/rates gauge health of consumer

• Recent layoffs possibly impacting labor data, exposing consumers to eventual job losses