Posted on 06/01/2010 8:36:38 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
America's shoppers
The retailers' dilemma
As they decide how to stock their shelves later this year, America’s shopkeepers are debating whether the recent rise in consumer spending will last
May 27th 2010 | NEW YORK | From The Economist print edition
THE mood of executives at retail firms normally moves in lockstep with that of their customers. But in America the news on May 25th that consumer confidence had reached its highest level in two years left them oddly subdued. Consumer spending per person, which fell for two years in a row for the first time since the Depression last year and the year before, has been rising again in recent months. But as retail executives place orders for the crucial end-of-year rush, they are anxiously debating how strong and lasting the consumer’s revival will be.
In the first quarter both fancier retailers such as Gap, Macy’s and Saks and workaday ones like Target, Wal-Mart and Home Depot all announced improved results. The rebound has been strongest in luxury stores: same-store sales at Neiman Marcus, for example, were 11% higher this April than last. But there was also reason for cheer at Home Depot, which relies on humbler consumers and the still-low housing market: revenues were up by 4.3% on the first quarter of 2009. Sales of home-improvement gear such as paint and gardening tools were especially strong.
(Excerpt) Read more at economist.com ...
P!
Aldi and Dollar General are buildling stores like mad.
Apparently they see a future in the Low Income Shopper
(can’t imagine why! /sarc)
” But as retail executives place orders for the crucial end-of-year rush, they are anxiously debating how strong and lasting the consumer’s revival will be. “
Retail managers actually having to pay attention to customers, instead of taking ‘em for granted...
Who would’a thunk it??
..subrosa class prejudice?
I still say the big elephant in the room is we're all realizing we don't need all that stuff.
It's not our fault, just because we stopped buying crap we don't really need or any room to put it.
No no no the MSM and Obama said the recovery plan is working. /s
frugality is abound!
I walked into a Williams - Sonoma store in the artsie fartsie town of Winter Park recently. Every store clerk in there treated me like I might be the last dollar they’d ever see. Creepy. Even Pet Smart welcomes me like they actually appreciates my business.
Imagine that, Retailers appreciating customers.
This is a truth that is dawning upon the US consumer.
In reality, no one is spending on anything but necessities.
As I see it, the current sunshine will cloud over soon as further realities set in.
Try walking through a Home Depot store without being greeted by every employee concerned with your shopping experience.
We had that experience at a Home Depot. The young man who helped us couldn’t have been over 20 years old. He was nice and knew his saw blades well. The only thing I hated was his constant pushing his bangs out of his eyes. What’s with these long bangs on boys now? The last time I remember that fad was in the 70s.
Yep, three trips to Lowe’s this weekend. They obviously had a “meeting”.
Once again, those employed WANT to hang on to their jobs.
Remember when those who WANTED to work had a job?
I’ll shop for more dresses when they MAKE dresses that a conservative 62 year old woman will wear. I refuse to wear the crappy street walker looking stuff these 20 somethings wear. And it’s even cheaper made today than it was when the Japanese made them.
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