Retail sales in the U.S. fall for first time in 7 months

The numbers: Sales at retailers nationwide fell 0.1% in October and dropped for the first time in seven months, but the decline is unlikely to last as the U.S. enters the holiday-shopping season.

Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had forecast a 0.2% drop in sales. It was the first negative reading since March, the government reported.

Retail…