US retail sales fell in February as Americans spent less at restaurants and home improvement stores, new data shows. The Commerce Department says retail sales fell 0.6 per cent last month, after a 0.8 per cent decline in January. It was the third straight retreat. Gas station sales rose for the first time in 9 months. Excluding the volatile categories of autos, gas, building materials and restaurants, sales were flat. Robust hiring in the past 12 months and lower gas prices have lifted consumer