The reading misses the median economist estimate for a 0.5% contraction.
Retail sales are a popular gauge of consumer spending, which counts for 70% of US GDP.
Spending at US retailers slid in February as the effects of stimulus enacted late last year petered out.
US retail sales contracted 3% last month, the Census Bureau said Tuesday. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expected sales to decline by 0.5% in February. January's blowout reading was revised higher to 7.6%.
The reading marks the fourth decline in five months. Retail sales are seen as a key gauge of overall consumer spending, and since such spending drives roughly 70% of economic activity, the Census Bureau's monthly report has taken on new importance as much of the US sits in prolonged lockdowns.