Scott Krugman
Scott Krugman
depending effects forecast happens mean might next open remains revision seen war
I think it remains to be seen how things go over the next month, ... The forecast is always open to revision depending on a set of circumstances we might not have seen. That could mean the effects from the lockout, or it could mean what happens if we got to war with Iraq.
attractive means outlets past prime speaking stigma suffering sure
Outlets need to be innovative. They need to make sure they are attractive and that they are speaking to the demographic. But by no means are they past their prime or suffering a stigma of being low-end shopping.
amount competition desperate fierce focused gets hammered home knowing limited message retailers
Retailers must always be focused on knowing their customers. But in desperate times like these that message gets hammered home because the competition is so fierce for a limited amount of dollars.
apparel avoid cards easier gift lines people selection starts thin trying turning
It is an easier last-minute gift. For people that are trying to avoid the long lines or as the apparel selection starts to thin out, I think you will see more people turning to gift cards today.
early looks standard starting
My standard feel is it's too early to tell. It looks like things are starting to stabilize a little bit. They're not getting worse.
optimistic tracking
It's tracking very strong. We feel very optimistic about this season.
amount apparel definitely fall message planned push question retailers strategic timing
The retailers want to make a big push for fall apparel this year. That's definitely a fact. There's a very strategic message here. This is well planned out in advance. The question isn't so much the timing of the markdowns as it is the amount of inventory.
amount apparel definitely fall message planned push question retailers strategic timing
The retailers want to make a big push for fall apparel this year, ... That's definitely a fact. There's a very strategic message here. This is well planned out in advance. The question isn't so much the timing of the markdowns as it is the amount of inventory.
budgets consumers early fraction gotten home improvement people projects putting shopping small supplement
It's way too early to actually tell its impact. Such a small fraction of consumers have gotten them. People will use them to supplement back-to-school shopping budgets and home improvement projects people have been putting off.
biggest bit counting event holiday january lull month niche season second
It's not a niche holiday by any stretch. It's the first big event after the (winter) holiday season. January is a bit of a lull month for the industry. Not counting back-to-school, Valentine's Day is the second biggest season for spending.
account busy consumer gift holiday middle percent proved resilient week
The consumer has proved more resilient than many thought. We're still in the middle of a very busy week that can account for 10 to 15 percent of holiday sales, especially with all the unredeemed gift cards. It's not over yet.
active aside change consumer cuts government helped layoffs might near putting rate recent skirt tax tomorrow
We might skirt near a recession, and this could change tomorrow ... but layoffs aside for a second, there are some positives. The government is being very active by putting liquidity back into the economy, and recent tax rebates and cuts in the tax rate have helped consumer confidence.
affect came costs gas higher holiday impact mostly price prices pump since
While the price of gas didn't have an impact on the holiday season, mostly since prices at the pump came down, this is not to say higher heating costs won't affect post-holiday spending.
compare considered difficult
Earlier, we were considered optimistic, but it's difficult to compare all the numbers.