British Retail Consortium reports February U.K. retail sales stagnated, signaling potential economic headwinds as the Middle East conflict threatens near-term recovery prospects. The flat figure, while not unexpected, underscores heightened consumer caution and supply chain disruptions stemming from geopolitical tensions. Retailers now face mounting pressure to navigate volatile demand patterns and potential inflation spikes linked to the conflict's global ripple effects. Market analysts warn this stagnation could delay broader economic stabilization efforts, particularly in consumer discretionary sectors heavily exposed to discretionary spending. Consumer confidence remains fragile, with shoppers likely to postpone non-essential purchases amid uncertainty over energy costs and supply chain reliability.