January sales at most US stores fall sharply;
Amid the ever-growing concerns about the financial health of the industry, the January sales at most of the popular US retail stores fell sharply, with the notable exception of the world's largest retailer Wal-Mart, which posted a 2.1 percent rise that exceeded the analysts' estimates.
US retail sales rose 0.4 percent in January due, mainly, to the activity in department stores, general merchandise stores and bars and restaurants, the Commerce Department announced Monday.