Michael Niemira
Michael Niemira
although completed decline dip holiday households latest nine percent shopping week
Increasingly, the post-Thanksgiving week dip has become a 'standard' part of the holiday shopping season. Although the latest week's decline was not encouraging, it was not necessarily worrisome as only nine percent of households have completed their holiday shopping.
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.
good inventory november pressure sales takes
If November sales are good and inventory is under control, that takes some of the sales pressure off in December.
exactly report since talking
What this report said is exactly what I've been talking about since December.
consumers headed holiday promotions provided retailers season selling
As the 'traditional' holiday selling season got underway on Friday, consumers headed to those retailers who provided promotions and discounts.
april economy employment fear number performance starting strong together
This number together with the strong April employment performance assuages the fear that the economy was starting to decline.
open season
Is it enough to say this season could be more than OK? That's still an open question.
black caused days friday industry longer numbers people robust sales shopping slightly soft wait weaker weekend year
Additionally, there are two more shopping days this year than last, which may have caused soft Black Friday weekend sales as people wait longer to shop. Nevertheless, after Friday's robust performance, these numbers are slightly weaker than industry analysts would have expected.
driven holiday largely promotions provide retailers season start strength strong
The strength was largely driven by promotions and did not provide as strong of a start to the holiday season as some retailers would have liked.
clearly concerns consumer dispel economic gas goes growth impact increases performance positive price results says strong surprised
The strong May performance goes a long way to dispel concerns about the impact of gas price increases on consumer spending, ... I am surprised that the positive results were so widespread. It says 'Gee, the economic growth is clearly countering some of these other drags.'
consumers helped holiday late lift
Procrastinating consumers and a late Hanukkah (December 25) helped to lift the holiday season's performance.
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.
broader costs decent doubt economy financial growth happens later markets negatives profits remains summer time whether work
No doubt the financial markets are anticipating that something could change. Whether that happens this summer or later remains to be seen, ... There are some broader negatives in the economy right now but the they will take a long time to work through. For now, we can still get decent growth in profits even as costs rise.