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AX10 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:03 PM
Original message
Lackluster sales greet retailers
http://channels.netscape.com/pf/story.jsp?idq=/ff/story/0001/20051218/1611883765.htm&sc=1333&photoid=20051218MAMD101

All is NOT well with the economy.
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Deja Q Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:10 PM
Response to Original message
1. Seemed very busy today.
People going out to window shop?

Not to deny you, I think things will collapse by mid-late 2006.
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AX10 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:11 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. The economy will slow down next year.
I am not sure by how much, but it will slow down. Windowshopping seems most likely to me.
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porphyrian Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:20 PM
Response to Reply #2
6. Wait until about February.
I'll be surprised if there aren't riots by Summer.
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0007 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:47 PM
Response to Reply #6
11. Accordingly, my astro chart shows some big knock down drag out
major riots. I backed this up with my ouija board which is never wrong. I then read my tea leaves under auspicious conditions and the results were the same.

Riots are in the future for the U.S.


BTW I'm not superstitious and don't believe in this kind of crap.
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YDogg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:20 PM
Response to Reply #1
5. Where I am in central Florida ...
... there are major pre-Christmas sales. 40-50% off on general clothing at several places I went today. I have to believe that if the economy was so great, these discounts would not be offered.
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porphyrian Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:25 PM
Response to Reply #5
8. The sales are the only reason as many people are out as there are.
And those companies aren't making money on them. They are to tempt people in, where their marketing mojo is supposed to hypnotise you into buying the expensive shit.

People will likely be taking to the streets by the middle of next year to "celebrate" this "booming" economy.
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AX10 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 07:39 PM
Response to Reply #8
14. 50% off in central CT.
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YDogg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-19-05 08:22 AM
Response to Reply #8
26. I only buy the bare necessities.
Period.
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converted_democrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:23 PM
Response to Reply #1
7. I doesn't matter how many people are out spending money.
If the store is forced to sell at a deep discount, which they are right now in order to remain competitive, they don't make any money. Stores are having to slash prices, and even lose money (door busters) on items, just to get them moving off the shelf. Profit is all about margin, it does not matter if a store is packed wall to wall with people, if they are not hitting their margins, (which is what the article implies) they are not making any money. The article clearly states that the shoppers are getting great deals, and they are, but a great deal for a shopper is not a good deal for the seller.
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serryjw Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-19-05 12:58 AM
Response to Reply #7
25. I'm working at Foley's for Xmas
Edited on Mon Dec-19-05 12:59 AM by serryjw
In Denver, Our #1 mall is not very crowded, most are not carrying packages. At Foleys most stuff is 40-50% off plus a 20% off coupon in the newpaper. They will not make their sales and certainly will not make their margins.

Question: I was suprised. Foley's is giving free boxes, tissue & shopping bags. Sounds silly but this comes to a lot of money. Do your dept stores give free gift boxes?
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converted_democrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-19-05 09:04 AM
Response to Reply #25
27. Some of them have free gift wrapping....Is that what you mean? n/t
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trogdor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-19-05 09:52 AM
Response to Reply #1
32. Last weekend before Christmas.
Folks were out doing last-minute stuff, taking advantage of last-minute sales.
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prolesunited Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:15 PM
Response to Original message
3. Who has any money left
after paying for heat?

And, just as last year, luxury retailers are doing just fine. I'm sure that doesn't have anything to do with the tax cuts, stagnant wages and rising health care costs quickly wiping out the middle class.

Look at WalMart:
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, said Saturday that December sales growth is still on track to be up anywhere from 2 percent to 4 percent. But it noted that food sales continue to outpace general merchandise sales.

People aren't Christmas shopping. They are buying groceries!
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tsuki Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 11:13 PM
Response to Reply #3
23. Can you imagine buying groceries from Wal Mart? I'd be too
afraid.
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tsuki Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 11:14 PM
Response to Reply #23
24. The War on Christmas has done one thing, turned shoppers off.
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blue neen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:19 PM
Response to Original message
4. We cut way back on what we spent this year.
We know that the gas bill is going to be a doozy. Heat is more important than gifts!
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ayeshahaqqiqa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:33 PM
Response to Reply #4
9. A co-worker just got his gas bill
Last month it was $68, this month $219-and his usage hadn't gone up. He's screaming bloody murder and having the gas company check for an error of some kind. You can figure what this little "surprise" has done to his Christmas budget.

Makes me glad I used wood heat-we are using wood that was cut down by someone else who asked us to help him out by cleaning it up.
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HockeyMom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:36 PM
Response to Reply #9
10. Don't tell me THAT
Mine was $200 for November. December has been very COLD. Should I expect a $600 natural gas heating bill? Sorry, I CANNOT afford that.
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ayeshahaqqiqa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 06:55 PM
Response to Reply #10
12. Well, this is Arkansas
and the company was Arkansas Western Gas. At least you know it isn't the same company. And I hope your bill doesn't jump as high as his did. If it does--I think there will be riots about this.
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MissB Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 11:13 PM
Response to Reply #10
22. So was mine.
$200 in November. I expect a $350+ bill this month, and we're shivering at 64 to 66 degrees.
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blue neen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 08:28 PM
Response to Reply #9
15. Our bill is due to arrive at the end of the week, right before Christmas.
Edited on Sun Dec-18-05 08:28 PM by blue neen
I shudder to think what it might be. We had two nights last week when the temperature dropped to 9 degrees. We literally cringe everytime the furnace clicks on.

Two weeks ago the furnace had to be repaired. We also have that bill to pay--$157 worth.

We're also going to be much more frugal about Christmas dinner.


edited for typo.
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ohio_liberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-19-05 09:09 AM
Response to Reply #9
28. Columbia Gas in Ohio...
Edited on Mon Dec-19-05 09:09 AM by ohio_liberal
...sent out information to the local news that we should expect $316 average gas bills in this part of Ohio this winter. The price hike starts next month.
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Coyote_Bandit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 07:30 PM
Response to Original message
13. Ahhhh, yes, the trickle up economy
Proof that spending creates jobs - and when folks are not able to spend then even those at the top get hit.

I too feel that there is some type of class conflict in the air - though I am not sure what form it will take. Too many have been stretched too thin for far too long. There is simply too much frustration and anger brewing.
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Wcross Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 09:34 PM
Response to Original message
16. I didn't participate this year. 0 dollars spent on gifts.
I said to hell with the holiday "season". It has become too much for me to handle. It just rubs me raw to follow the "tradition" of buying stuff for people who don't need anything and in return recieving stuff that is disposed of or stored away. I am feeling guilt as the gifts arrive but I can be involved in it no longer.

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SoCalDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 10:41 PM
Response to Reply #16
17. In some families it's little more than "trading" stuff
You buy stuff for people don't need it , and they send you stuff you don;t need
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kevinbgoode Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 10:44 PM
Response to Original message
18. I blame the "War on Christmas"
I mean, what did retailers expect when the Falwell-led, O'Reilly-broadcast demand that all references to the holy-days be changed to feature the baby jesus only? I know several people who are now expressing the belief that they are supposed to be members of the American "Family" Association in order to participate in "Christmas" sales.
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Lady President Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 10:51 PM
Response to Original message
19. Stores weren't very crowded here
Granted, I live in Ohio where the economy is horrid, but the stores were not that busy this weekend. I tend to procrastinate so I had to hit quite a few stores the last few days, and I didn't have problems finding parking, nor were there long lines.

When I drove by Wal-Mart, the parking lot was full. :(
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AZBlue Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 10:59 PM
Response to Original message
20. Just 'cause Bush says the economy's doing well, doesn't make it so
Not that he'll ever figure that out.
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Halliburton Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-18-05 11:12 PM
Response to Original message
21. Didn't Charlie Cook say that this
was the greatest economy of all time or something like that?
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dryan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-19-05 09:17 AM
Response to Reply #21
29. Was at the Florida Mall....
earlier this week to wrap presents for a local charity. Stores were not crowded and many (even Dillars - very upscale) already had deep discounts. K-Mart across the street from my subdivision has advertised 60% discounts!
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ProfessorGAC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-19-05 09:18 AM
Response to Reply #21
30. If He Did, Then He's Dumber Than Dirt
All one needs to do is look at the econometric data. That done, there is no way his conclusion can be drawn. So, he HAS to be selling this idea for compensation.
The Professor
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newportdadde Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-19-05 09:18 AM
Response to Original message
31. The mall parking lots were packed here a week ago.
They had the usual cops out diverting traffic out onto the street etc. Now I don't know what those people are buying but there are a lot of people out there, personally I'm surprised. I think some of that has to do that at least for our area we haven't gotten out next gas bill yet. Its been down in the single digits a lot lately even so its going to be a bad one.
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