What do I say about why I left my last job? (Cleveland)

They always ask why I left, and I freeze. I worked as a retail manager before this. I do not want to blame the company. Do they ask follow-ups?

If a company has been in the news for layoffs, you can mention that. Often the interviewer already knows.

Say it plainly and move on to what you can do. Interviewers usually move on if you do.