Delos Smith
Delos Smith
certainly consumer effect gas mean negative numbers prices retail sales seen weekly
We haven't yet seen the negative effect of gas prices on consumer spending. It's certainly not here in these numbers. That doesn't mean it's not there. Certainly the weekly retail sales numbers have been sluggish.
bargain buying consumers impulse offering talking thinks
Consumers right now are bargain hunters, and that's what Wal-Mart is talking about. If you're offering a bargain and the consumer thinks it will go away, you'll get the consumer to buy, but there is no impulse buying going on.
based consumers fourth july needs nice salary spending starts wage
Consumers had a nice July and August. Unfortunately, they're on their own for the fourth quarter, which starts on Wednesday. Going into 2004, spending is going to be based on wage and salary growth, which needs a boost.
adjust consumers economic economy economy-and-economics growth mean view
We boosted economic growth in one quarter, but that doesn't mean it's sustainable. We still have a long-range view that the economy is changing, and consumers will have to adjust to it.
consumer defensive nervous uncertain
You do have a defensive consumer. If the consumer is very nervous and uncertain about what is going to be happening, you don't know how they're going to react.
buy consumer consumers current everybody involved people pleasure
You want the consumer buoyant. Most consumers are not current-events oriented. When you get everybody involved in current events, when they usually are not, then people are not going to go out and buy things just for pleasure of it.
consumers kept retailers
I think consumers are more cautious, and I think the retailers have kept inventories well under control.
consumers economy eye front gas generally global happening jobs keeping prices remain terms
The economy is generally chugging along. From the consumers' perspective, jobs remain an important issue. Consumers will also be keeping an eye on gas prices and what happening on the global front in terms of terrorism.
consumer drop five percent perhaps retailers season stimulus tax
The five percent drop is shocking. It indicates that perhaps the consumer tax rebate stimulus that benefited retailers during the back-to-school season has petered out.
coming grass kinds nice
I see robins and the grass coming up and all kinds of nice signs. But it has to be proven.
business fingers leaks
I've been in the business 40 years...almost 40 years. I can tell you the leaks in 40 years and I won't even use all the fingers on one hand.
ends key whether
The whole key is whether or not (a war) ends quickly.
bad recession time
Probably Asia's diminishing a little bit. But I don't think that this suggests any kind of bad time or recession coming.
besides companies cultural india interested political retailers ultimately understand western
Besides the political issues, retailers interested in India have to understand the cultural differences and sensitivities. Ultimately India's still a very complicated world for Western companies to understand.