U.S. retail and restaurant sales stalled in October, flat compared to September—a notable shift as consumers tightened their belts. After the summer spending spree, people are now pumping the brakes, caught between concerns over inflation and mounting economic headwinds. This kind of consumer pullback typically signals shifting market dynamics. When discretionary spending contracts, it often reflects broader uncertainty about purchasing power and future economic conditions. Worth watching closely if you're thinking about market cycles and how macro trends shape asset flows.