Ken Perkins
Ken Perkins
beating consumer couple environment greatest last psyche taken
It's not the greatest macro environment to be going into. The psyche of the consumer has taken a beating the last couple of months,
consumers felt gas growth higher job pinch prices
Consumers really felt the pinch of higher gas prices and job growth is stagnant.
among blamed expected gas good last missed nice numbers prices retailers seeing surprises trend upside
The numbers look pretty good so far. We are seeing more surprises to the upside and this is a nice reversal of the trend that we had expected last month. Even among those retailers who missed our forecast, not many of them blamed gas prices for it.
complete egg laid
It was a complete egg that was laid there. By all accounts, they got killed in apparel.
appear commerce conditions economic improved iraq last march month people run shopping year
Economic conditions have improved significantly from March last year when commerce was impeded for much of the month by the run up to the Iraq war. People do appear to be shopping more.
built carry despite everybody holiday momentum next tough waiting whether year
Everybody is waiting to see whether they can carry the momentum they've built this year into next year despite the tough holiday period.
despite difficult february good last percent results sales today
We're getting some very good results today despite the very difficult 6.7 percent February same-store sales comparisons from last year.
district judged school seem valid
When you say a school and a district is going to be judged on this, and then it's not a valid test, that doesn't seem right.
both difficult facing form gain hurdle last limited percent retailers seen september year
We've already seen some big disappointments in both Limited and Ann Taylor. Up front, retailers are also facing their most difficult hurdle of the year in the form of a 6.1 percent gain racked up in September last year.
effect energy higher prices
We are going to see the effect of higher energy prices trickle up to the middle-income consumers.
opinion thrilled vote
We don't have an opinion or more importantly a vote one way or another. We're not thrilled with it ... but it's essentially up to the analysts.
against earnings growth half next second steep year
The deceleration in earnings growth is a significant concern. Techs are up against steep comparisons in the second half of this year and the first half of next year,
bottom customers fewer fighting holiday line margins retailers watch
They're going to have to watch the bottom line and the margins very closely, ... This holiday season, retailers are going to be fighting for customers and fewer discretionary dollars.
consumer factors number
There were a number of factors that dampened consumer spending,