The U.S. Commerce Department released retail sales today. Retail sales were flat in July, missing expectations for a 0.2%rise, after a 0.2% increase in June.

Retail sales, excluding automobile sales, climbed 0.1% in July, missing expectations for a 0.4% rise, after a 0.4% gain in June.

Motor vehicles and parts sales dropped 0.2%. Sales at general merchandise stores decreased 0.5%, while department stores fell 0.7%.

The slowdown in purchases points to some loss of momentum in the economy. Retail sales account for a third of consumer spending in the U.S.