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• Auto sales amounted to much of the decline, mainly due to the auto strike. If those are taken out, sales were up 0.1%.

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Why it matters: Consumers continued spending and showed resilience despite their personal savings falling and credit card balances rising.

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Details: Electronics and appliance stores, food and beverage stores, health and personal care stores, non-store retailers (mostly online sellers), and bars and restaurants saw gains.

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• But sales were down at motor vehicles and parts dealers, furniture stores, and miscellaneous stores.

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Bottom line: If leaders avoid adding uncertainty to the economy – like from a government shutdown – and push pro-growth policies that address the worker shortage and help U.S. companies sell more to international customers, the job market will remain robust, keeping incomes steady and consumers spending.