US retail sales recorded an unanticipated drop in January, the biggest decline in 11 months, according to a report published by Reuters.

The Commerce Department recorded a 0.3 percent drop for the first month of the year, contrasted with expectations of a 0.2 percent rise. Data for December, 2017 was also revised from a 0.4 percent rise to a flat result. Excluding automobiles, gas, building materials and food services, retail sales were flat.

Declines were experienced across consumer spending categories, including furniture and health and personal care stores.