A long pre-Christmas shopping weekend helped buoy December retail sales by 2.1 percent, just edging out November's 1.9 percent gain. As a result, the year ended on a positive note, albeit modest; and consumer confidence is on the rise again - a good sign moving into the New Year. |
A welcomed relief from severe mid-December weather precipitated sales surges in the Midwest and Northeast. However, other parts of the country experienced just the opposite trend because of the ice storm which paralyzed parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. |
Consumers have been on a shopping frenzy for so long, they may be trying now to 'pace themselves' in preparation for the upcoming holiday shopping season. |
Despite this mini-surge in spending, the modest gain in same-store sales did not meet early projections. |
For the most part, spending continued steadily throughout the weekend, |
For the most part, spending continued steadily throughout the weekend. It is not unusual to see a slight slowdown in sales after an initial surge on the day after Thanksgiving -- particularly with a long shopping season. |
Friday's same-store sales data are an early indication that shoppers are meeting retailers' expectations, ... The sales growth is in line with the healthy state of the economy and consumer confidence. |
Friday's same-store sales data are an early indication that shoppers are meeting retailers' expectations. The sales growth is in line with the healthy state of the economy and consumer confidence. |
He really shouldn't have done it. |
I've had dozens of conversations in El Salvador over the years with people who said it would be simply unthinkable for any group of low-ranking guardsmen to kill four North American women without having been ordered to do so, that the system just didn't work that way, |
In spite of vibrant economic conditions, holiday shoppers continued to hold back and remained very value conscious, taking advantage of retail promotions and deep discounts, |
In spite of vibrant economic conditions, holiday shoppers continued to hold back and remained very value conscious, taking advantage of retail promotions and deep discounts. |
It appears that same-store retail sales have continued to do reasonably well. |
It's going to be painful for some people. Is everybody going to be happy? No. And they shouldn't be. |
Swapping merchandise and cashing in on your gift certificates. |