US retail sales rise 0.2% in Feb, missing market expectations

US retail and food service sales rose 0.2 per cent in February, below the expected 0.6 per cent, with department store sales plunging 1.7 per cent.
Consumers, including high-income households, are shifting towards value, boosting general merchandise and online sales.
Core retail sales rose 1 per cent.
Economic uncertainty and market declines are weighing on consumer confidence.