Michael Niemira
Michael Niemira
continue despite energy impressive remain sales trends worries
Despite all the worries on the energy front, sales trends continue to be impressive and remain strong.
continue department easier hear retailers tone
I think you have to read between the lines. In September, retailers say things are on- to above-plan, that's reassuring, even with easier comparisons for the industry. The tone will be important, particularly with some of the department stores. If you continue to hear below-plan sales, that would be worrisome.
consumer continue credit hang major passive spend tends unless
Basically, the consumer will hang in there. Unless there's some kind of a major problem, the consumer tends to be more passive and will continue to spend if credit is available.
energy needed retailers
Retailers needed to be promotional because of the energy story. We didn't really see any strengthening this season, but we didn't really see any weakening either.
bit consumer last lower planning question retailers season spend weekend
Retailers have been planning for that lower traffic. The question now is, will the consumer in the last weekend of the season spend a little bit more or not?
days redemption
Redemption days are going to be very important this year.
although categories consumers december furniture held home last looking month november power purchasing retail sales seems shifted
Looking at November and December together, it seems that retail sales held up pretty well during the holidays, although last month consumers shifted their purchasing power to other categories such as furniture and home goods.
capital focus less meaningful ought pick spending worry
I think there's less worry on the consumer, and our focus ought to be more: 'Does business, capital spending pick up?'... That's much more meaningful going forward.
black built deep leading momentum offering reason retailers sales
Part of the reason was that retailers built sales momentum by offering deep discounts leading up to Black Friday,
consumer filter healthy oil prices question react relatively rest sales shows
It shows a relatively healthy sales picture. The question is how will the consumer react when oil prices filter through the rest of the economy.
average bad colder compared cuts degrees ice interfere january last snow weather
The average temperature in January was about 8 degrees colder compared to last year. Cold weather doesn't interfere with shopping. It's the bad weather, with the snow and ice that cuts traffic.
consumer holiday increases softness underlying worry
The consumer is still very cautious. There was underlying softness in November. It increases the worry about the holiday as a whole.
consumer relatively remained robust spending
Consumer spending has remained relatively robust into 2006.
exactly report since talking
What this report said is exactly what I've been talking about since December.