Washington ? Shoppers faced with snow storms, job cuts and war worries were tightfisted in February, driving down sales at retailers by the largest amount in 15 months.

The latest snapshot of retail activity released by the Commerce Department Thursday added to fears the economy could slide back into a new recession, economists said.

Retail sales fell 1.6 percent from the previous month, with weakness widespread.

Building and garden supply stores posted a record drop.

“You have to be living in a cave not to feel spooked and anxious,” said Bill Cheney, chief economist at John Hancock. “Losing your job or having to pay twice as much for gas makes a dent in what people will spend on other things.”

February’s performance was weaker than analysts expected and marked a big pullback by consumers from January, when sales rose by 0.3 percent.

After sliding into a recession in 2001, the economy has struggled to return to full health. Any growth has come largely from consumers.

But an ailing job market, higher energy prices, anxiety about war and a turbulent stock market are making consumers more cautious.

Snow storms in the East dealt a blow to February’s sales. The government’s decision to elevate the terror alert during the month probably also contributed to keeping shoppers away.

“Consumers were downbeat,” said Richard Yamarone, economist with Argus Research Corp. “There was not much for the consumer to be happy about last month.”

The 1.6 percent decline in retail sales was the biggest since November 2001, when the economy was still reeling from the Sept. 11 attacks.

Sales at automobile dealers dropped by 3.4 percent in February from January, the biggest decline in five months.