The weak report from the Commerce Department on Monday joined a raft of other soft data, including housing starts and manufacturing production that have left economists anticipating a sharp slowdown in growth in the first quarter.

The loss of economic momentum also reflects higher interest rates, slowing global growth, Washington's trade war with China and uncertainty over Britain's departure from the European Union. These factors contributed to the Federal Reserve's decision last month to abruptly end its three-year campaign to tighten monetary policy.

The U.S. central bank abandoned projections for any interest rate hikes this year after increasing borrowing costs four times in 2018.

Retail sales dropped 0.2 percent as households cut back on purchases of furniture, clothing, food and electronics and appliances, as well as building materials and gardening equipment. Data for January was revised higher to show retail sales increasing 0.7 percent instead of gaining 0.2 percent as previously reported.