Posted on 11/14/2012 6:58:12 AM PST by Pride_of_the_Bluegrass
I have been to the local mall and to several retailers this past week and I'm wondering what sort of numbers we will see this year for Black Friday. Have there been any forecasts on what retailers are expecting? I know that there is so much uncertainty right now economically and socially, how will that translate into our willingness to purchase this year? Will we have a last "Hurrah!" or will we simply set on the sidelines and await the coming "Whateverthehellisgoingtohappennext"?
down from last year I suspect
Whtever it is, it will be “unexpected”.
Wondering if they will factor in gun sales to show an increase in spending?
Either way, it will be reported by the LSM as "unexpectedly high," because "nation-wide economic confidence following historic election" will "fuel sales rates."
At least until the revised numbers are quietly released in January. Can't have the peasants getting spooked by anything unexpected.
Reality: I predict a big downturn from last year. Best Buy did not even wait until after Christmas to shut down their stores. People are going to cut back, and save a little for the storm to come.
Media Reporting: Best Christmas EVER!!! Sales up a Million and Eleventy Percent!!!1!1! Happy days are here again!
My prediction: Black Friday sales up, overall Holiday Season sales down. Seems to be the trend.
I know what I am asking for for Christmas!
“Media Reporting: Best Christmas EVER!!! Sales up a Million and Eleventy Percent!!!1!1! Happy days are here again!”
“Tramplings Down — Shoppers more civil — Praise Obama!”
“UNEXPECTED”, a DISASTER FOR RETAILERS
Black Friday will get no support from me this year. I despise the traffic and don’t want to fight it or the crowds. It’s just not worth it.
I’ll be working that day, making money, getting some laughs, enjoying the camaraderie. Spending? NO. Stopped that gift-among-adults-gig about 10 years ago. The adult children were second-guessing at first but after a few seasons they’re all on board and have been ever since.
If you need essentials, there may be deals.
Prepare. Persevere.
It will not matter, because increasingly it is all imported anyway.
The only jobs created, are the unloader at the dock, and the cashier.
Predictions of sales in both cash and credit carried over with interest charges. Both fuel the economy in different ways. If people spent credit it may reflect optimism in their personal finances; if cash it just says folks are living within their means or discretionary income - this type of spending means pent up customer demand, or maybe just enough to pay the utilities and taxes. Each year we consume more and more as the population rises, therefore just gauging actual dollars or merchandise does not necessarily indicate we are spending more individually, only collectively. Spin it Mr. DJ.
Families rediscover the importance of personal connections at Christmastime, now that the distractions of consumerism have been removed...
Any predictions on the casualty counts?
Actual, or reported? Actual will be down, reported will be flat to mildly up.
Too many people have lost their jobs. Those who are still working may be using their extra funds for stocking up and prepping for what is to come.
I just don't see people being being filled with holiday cheer this time. Who can blame them? The gates of hell have been opened up.
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