Disappointing figures indicate the burst of activity at the start of the US holiday-shopping season proved to be short-lived. Photo: Getty

Disappointing figures indicate the burst of activity at the start of the US holiday-shopping season proved to be short-lived. Photo: Getty

US retail sales unexpectedly stalled in December, suggesting consumers provided less firepower for the economy as the year drew to a close.

The disappointing figures indicate the burst of activity at the start of the holiday-shopping season proved to be short-lived. Households remain frustrated over a high cost of living and worried about the job market.