In store or online.

Retail sales dropped in the United States for the third straight month, according to Commerce Department data released Friday.

Total sales were down a weaker than expected 0.7% in December, while online sales tumbled 5.8%.

The slowdown in retail spending came amid a new wave of job losses, looming expiration of jobless benefits at the end of December and renewed measures to slow the health crisis.

Consumers cut back on spending nearly across the board, with restaurants and bars among the hardest hit due to the shutdown of indoor dining in some states.

Elektronik and appliance stores were also at the top of the sales decline.

December's weak retail sales report adds further evidence, often economy that lost speed at the end of 2020.

Things could change, though, in coming months.

Congress did extend jobless benefits at the very end of the year and also approved $600 stimulus checks, so that should immediately provide a boost and there could be more to come.