If the housing market just levels off, which seems to be happening right now, we'll be OK. But if there's a precipitous drop, then spending could really fall. |
If the price of oil remains between $45 to $50 a barrel, that's not a good sign especially if we experience a very cold winter. Heating oil prices will go up and that's likely to dampen consumer spending during the winter months. |
Instead of hearing about gas woes, we actually saw a handful of companies raise their earnings estimates. That was a nice surprise. |
Is this just a blip on the radar? I think it could be, ... The economy seems to be snapping back. The third-quarter GDP number was a blowout number. I don't think it will be that great in the fourth quarter, but consumer spending will hold through the holidays. Also, retailers will be benefiting from easier comparisons in November and December. |
Is this just a blip on the radar? I think it could be. The economy seems to be snapping back. The third-quarter GDP number was a blowout number. I don't think it will be that great in the fourth quarter, but consumer spending will hold through the holidays. Also, retailers will be benefiting from easier comparisons in November and December. |
Is Wal-Mart also hurting its business? I think cheaper products at the discount stores did have a marginal impact on the company's sales. |
It looks good so far. The results are better than expected. |
It was a complete egg that was laid there. By all accounts, they got killed in apparel. |
It wasn't a blowout month for this group. |
It's a reversal of a trend. |
It's conceivable that could happen. |
It's not the greatest macro environment to be going into. The psyche of the consumer has taken a beating the last couple of months, |
January is turning out to be a real surprise to the positive. So far the same-store numbers that we're getting aren't bad at all. |
January was a one of the warmest months in over a 100 years. So that not only drove sales of spring clothing and other seasonal merchandise earlier than usual but it also probably stole some sales from February. |
Lundgren will really have to succeed in pulling something very different out of the hat if this [merger] is to succeed, |