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Gallup: No Back-to-School Spending Rush
Gallup.com ^ | August 11, 2009 | Dennis Jacobe, Chief Economist

Posted on 08/11/2009 4:53:19 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer

PRINCETON, NJ -- Even as back-to-school started in earnest last week, with numerous states holding their tax-free shopping events, and as consumer confidence hit a new weekly high, Gallup's Consumer Spending measure suggests a tepid consumer response. While this meets general market expectations, it is bad news for the nation's retailers, for whom back-to-school is second in importance only to the Christmas holidays.

Last week's jobs report and the sales success of the "Cash for Clunkers" program have combined with the continued Wall Street rally to boost consumer optimism. However, the fact remains that increased consumer confidence does not seem to be having a significant impact on consumer spending, at least to this point. If this trend continues, Back-to-School may become a major sales bust and the fallout for the nation's retailers may be severe.

(Excerpt) Read more at gallup.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: backtoschool; bhoeconomy; obamanomics; retail

OK, here's how to stimulate Back-to-School spending...


1 posted on 08/11/2009 4:53:19 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Maybe some of us are afraid to send our kids to school looking like they are too well dressed this year...
2 posted on 08/11/2009 4:57:03 AM PDT by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

State of NY using stimulus funds to give $150 MILLION to welfare recipients. $200 for each child for back to school spending. The fund will be supplemented by a fund managed by SOROS.

The money will go to those who have dropped off the welfare rolls as well as those who fail to meet the work requirement.

This spending was mandated by the O administration.


3 posted on 08/11/2009 4:57:53 AM PDT by Carley (OBAMA IS A MALEVOLENT FORCE IN THE WORLD)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I think “back to school” sales of anything but school supplies (I’ve been buying 15-cent spiral notebooks) are badly timed. Who needs winter clothes when it’s 100 degrees? And if you buy them now, they’ll be outgrown by the time it’s cool enough to wear them.


4 posted on 08/11/2009 5:02:36 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Good intentions mean nothing. Incentives and constraints mean everything.)
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To: Dixie Yooper
Maybe we need a Cash 4 Saggy Ass Jeans program for the boys. They will get a government voucher worth $20.00 toward the purchase of government approved Mom Jeans for every pair of jeans designed to display the wearer's underwear that are turned in for destruction.

Now there's a big-government spending program I can support!

5 posted on 08/11/2009 5:02:57 AM PDT by bondjamesbond (Because, deep in my heart, I do believe, that we shall overcome some day.)
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To: bondjamesbond
Maybe a Cash 4 Show Everyone You're Thong Hip Hugger program for girls too, just to be fair and PC...
6 posted on 08/11/2009 5:08:42 AM PDT by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

“Imperial Congress For Life” Bump


7 posted on 08/11/2009 5:13:58 AM PDT by momincombatboots (The last experience of the sinner is the horrible enslavement of the freedom he desired. -C.S. Lewis)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I work with kids (middle class). Other than new sneakers, which I’ve been seeing for the past couple of months, not just recently, I haven’t noticed a lot of new clothes. I ask the kids, have they done any shopping and they say no, they’re just going to wear their summer clothes for a while, then when it gets colder, they’ll get some new jeans, etc.

I’ve asked about supplies and most say they have stuff left over from last year and don’t need anything new.

I don’t know if this is indicative of family finances or just that the back to school spending spree is really not all it’s cracked up to be.


8 posted on 08/11/2009 5:39:12 AM PDT by randita (Chains we can bereave in.)
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To: Dixie Yooper
Maybe a Cash 4 Show Everyone You're Thong Hip Hugger program for girls too, just to be fair and PC...

Just so long as there is a waiver available for the 0.5% of women those pants actually look good on...

9 posted on 08/11/2009 7:11:38 AM PDT by bondjamesbond (Because, deep in my heart, I do believe, that we shall overcome some day.)
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To: bondjamesbond
A heck of a lot of folks are shopping at the local Goodwill store.

Heck I go there to buy blouses and sweaters.

10 posted on 08/11/2009 7:13:21 AM PDT by mware (F-R-E-E, that spells free. Free Republic.com baby.)
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To: bondjamesbond
Just so long as there is a waiver available for the 0.5% of women those pants actually look good on...

This is about Back to School Spending for boys and girls. I don't think a Jail-Bait Waiver would be appropriate...thoughtful perhaps...but not appropriate.

11 posted on 08/11/2009 7:20:01 AM PDT by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
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To: Dixie Yooper
But she said she was nineteen!
12 posted on 08/11/2009 8:22:39 AM PDT by bondjamesbond (Because, deep in my heart, I do believe, that we shall overcome some day.)
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