Kurt Barnard
Kurt Barnard
clear economy evidence frightened happening list numbers point public saw today
What's happening is very simple. The numbers we saw today are clear evidence that the American public is shell-shocked to the point of being frightened over a big long list of circumstances surrounding the economy over which they have no power, no control.
bit customers fortunate looking paycheck people price stores tag wealth worried
Upscale stores have done very well because their customers have been fortunate to amass a bit of wealth, so they're not worried about their jobs. But people who live paycheck to paycheck have to be careful, and they look at the price tag before looking at the product.
action cases evidence exactly hot orders possible reduced running stores worst
There is spotty evidence that in some stores inventories are running low, but considering that the action that's in the stores is not particularly hot these days, that (low inventories) may not be the worst possible fate. In many cases a lot of stores reduced the orders they placed, and in some cases, canceled orders, which is exactly what's happening.
air hot number
If this is a hot summer, we are going to see an overwhelming number of air conditioners sold, ... And even if it's not a hot summer, air conditioners will be a hot seller.
area badly goes greatly magazines pull suffer
One area that could suffer greatly may be her magazines because advertisers will pull out if this goes badly for her.
achieved below decent disastrous fall holiday levels people sales season year
No one should come to the conclusion, as some people have already done, that this is going to be a disastrous holiday sales season for retailers. For most, it's going to be a decent sales season, but it will fall for most below the levels achieved a year ago.
absolutely word
One word - dismal. There's nothing else to be said but absolutely dismal.
absolutely acquire bit dealing directly extremely hand order places rather remote seems strong
On the one hand he's extremely capable, a very strong manager, administrator and visionary. On the other hand he seems a bit remote from the field, ... He must absolutely acquire the sense of dealing directly with Mr. and Mrs. Consumer. Can he deal with someone who places an order for $10 rather than $10,000 or $10 million?
reasons stores
One of the reasons why stores did not do better than they did is because there were not enough new designs, not enough new fashions.
apparel based department fashion heard hit lower seen stores
Based on what we've heard and seen so far, the fashion apparel stores and department stores are going to be hit with lower profits.
bargain great turned
So far, this has turned out to be the year's great bargain hunt,
consumer economic exposure marriage power preferred shelf space wants
Shelf space is diamond-encrusted gold. It's exposure to the consumer and everyone wants exposure to the consumer. They each had a lot of economic power before, but with the marriage they'll have a lot more power, power to get shelf space, preferred positions, all of that.
afternoon hit last lots minds people retail sales taken thursday
Retail sales will have taken a hit Thursday afternoon and then on Friday, when lots of people can't get around and the last thing on their minds would be going shopping.
martha needs people products retail sales selling suffer terminal
Retail sales of Martha Stewart products won't suffer in a terminal way because right now Kmart needs Martha more than Martha needs Kmart. Her products are selling well because people really like them.