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With Commerce Frozen, Retail Sales Plunge Unprecedented 8.7%

Associated Press

   WASHINGTON - U.S. retail sales plummeted 8.7% in March, an
   unprecedented decline, as the viral outbreak forces an almost complete
   lock down of commerce nationwide.

   The deterioration of sales far outpaces the previous record decline of
   3.9% that took place during the depths of the Great Recession in
   November 2008.

   Auto sales dropped 25.6%, while clothing store sales collapsed, sliding
   50.5%. Restaurants and bars reported a nearly 27% fall in revenue.

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