Weighed down by new COVID-19 infections and decreasing household incomes, retail sales in the US declined for second consecutive month in November. As per the Commerce Department, sales dropped 1.1 per cent in November even as the data for October was revised to show sales falling 0.1 per cent instead of climbing 0.3 cent as previously reported. Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales declined by 0.5 per cent last month after downwardly revised 0.1 per cent dip in October.

Also, the economy added the fewest jobs in six months in November. The number of people filing new claims for unemployment benefits jumped to a near three-month high in the first week of December. As per a Reuters tally of official data, the United States is struggling with a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 infections, with the death toll from the respiratory illness rising above 300,000. Many state and local governments have imposed new restrictions on businesses, while some consumers are avoiding shopping malls, restaurants and bars.

The situation has been compounded by the loss of a weekly unemployment supplement. More than $3 trillion in government coronavirus relief is almost depleted. At least 9 million unemployed and underemployed Americans will lose government-funded benefits on Dec. 26, with Congress struggling to agree on another rescue package.