Retailers pray for last-minute splurge

[UpInArms]

http://www.newsday.com/business/orl-asecretail21122104dec21,0,943932.story?coll=ny-business-leadheadlines

The stage has been set for another last-minute showdown between Christmas shoppers and store owners, who are coming off a disappointing weekend.

Consumers might find a flurry of promotions and deeper discounts in the coming days, as retailers scramble to generate an extraordinary wave of last-minute shoppers.

Shoppers such as Maxanne Watt of Apopka are waiting.

"I've finished most of my shopping, and I haven't seen any discounts in the last few days that would make me spend more," said Watt, a licensed practical nurse.

<snip>

More than 12 million consumers haven't even started, the survey said. Retailers are gearing up for the onslaught -- from consumer-electronics and home-improvement chains to discounters and department stores -- with many stores planning extended hours this week.

...more...

Our "Faith-Based Economy" at work :eyes:

12 million non-shoppers should alarm these dufusses.

[saracat]

1. They still don't equate NO JOBS= NO MONEY

[Warpy]

6. It gets worse

No jobs or the threat of no job = no money to spend = no demand for goods and services = more job losses = even less money to spend = more job losses and you know how the rest of it goes.

This is a vicious circle and this is what leads to depression and the junta is too damned stupid to see any of it. They still think rich people create jobs! They don't! WE do! No rich person ever "created" a job unless there was already a demand for the goods or services it would produce.

Robbing the peasants to fatten the aristocracy and wage wars of empire has destroyed many a great civilization. Our stupid rich people are about to learn that lesson first hand.

Idiot? Oh, he'll cut their taxes again, but without the money pump to give them increased income, it'll be meaningless.

[rkc3]

9. I bleieve the correct term is - Death Spiral.

[mhr]

10. Unemployed 54 Months - Well Said

eom

[scarpa43]

50. 54 months?

Are you saying you have been out of work for 4 1/2 years?
How do you make ends meet?

[mhr]

52. Meager Savings And Lean Living - Yes That Is 54 Months Without Income

I have over 2,500 resumes out the door.

My CV includes:
15 + years of professional experience
BSEE
MBA
Commercial Pilot
Honorably Discharged Naval Officer

I have not had one credible inquiry from a company in well over two years now.

I presently live in Dallas, TX. The following chart from the Dallas Fed illustrates how badly Texas has been hit by the Bush agenda.

[artemisia1]

58. Time to move

Maybe it's time for you to move or start your own business. 54 months is too long to be without work. Have you set your sights too high (relative to the job prospects in your region I mean, not relative to your worth which would be high in a DECENT economy)? Just some well meaning advice so please don't take offense.

Are you yet young enough to return to the service? You might consider the USCG as we get pilots from other services frequently and even if you don't get a flight rating, your BSEE and honorable discharge should get you a decent EO job.

[mhr]

71. Too Old And Too Slow For The Service - Over The Hill By Corporate

America Standards - Savings all gone and no capital with which to start a business - Not enough gas left to move.

[NuttyFluffers]

64. well, your rez smokes mine... i'm doomed. :)

i guess it was a smart thing that i didn't move to dallas to seek opportunity.

still working on my lowly BA in Japanese (*cough* with an AA in Liberal Studies. yes, i study liberals, hence DU :P :evilgrin: ha ha ha!)

oh dear, well, i guess i'll stay in school forever if i can...

[Shakespeare]

36. Oh, they see it. It's exactly what they want.

Of course, they can never say so publicly. When the economy is depressed, the price of assets goes down the toilet. THAT is what they want--they and their rich friends will then go on a buying spree at fire sale prices. It's further redistribution of the wealth to the wealthy.

Fuck 'em all.

[Cronus Protagonist]

76. Sales down from $40,000 same day last year to $4,000

Saw it on TV here in LA. A local mall, one of the largest ones in CA, interviewed a jeweller in the mall and he was smiling and saying sales were down a little from last year but they were still hopeful.

The presenter then went on to tell us all that last year, on the same day the jeweler sold $40,000 worth of jewelry and this year he only sold $4,000 - she didn't dwell on it, but that's only ONE TENTH of last year's sales. Now it wasn't the end of the day, just early evening, but these are devastating numbers for any retailer.

Apparently, diamonds are for never.




http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13
Buttons for brainy people - educate your local freepers today!

[KingChicken]

2. Corporations can't fuck America then expect to have good sales...

This is what happens when Americans run out of money, if the corporations don't like it then mabey they should reconsider sending more wealth outside of the country and up to the higher classes.

[cliss]

57. You're right! They can't have it

both ways. Although knowing them, they will most likely try it.

They want to screw the Average American. They want to grab everything he/she/they have. They'll use any means to get it.

Then, they notice too late that the economy is spiraling out of control. Desperation time. Sweaty armpits. Suddenly, they realize WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. You can't rob an entire country and hope to stay on top.

No problem, they think. We'll just move our assets to a Swiss Bank account and high-tail it out of Dodge. Or move to Madagascar.

Too late. After they've sunk the American Titanic economy, the spiral effects will cause huge problems world-wide.....even tiny Madagascar.

Think of those guys at the very end of the Indiana Jones movie, as they open the Ark of the Covenant........that guy who looks just like Karl Rove......in the black hat & black coat.....his face melts off.....

[Not_Giving_Up]

3. If you have no money, you can't buy shit!

I have bought a few small things, for the kids....If it weren't for their grandparents, I don't know what kind of holiday they would have.

[juliagoolia]

4. The Ford Company vs the Walmart Company economy

Ford company paid the employees well so they could buy cars and homes etc. That boosted the economy and Ford too.

Walmarts and other low paying companies don't get it. We can't buy their products with low wages.

On the other hand there is a large movement of people that are just saying 'screw em' this year. Me included.

I am giving away personal treasures and things I do not use this year.

So, some of those 12 million are never going to start.

[rurallib]

12. At least stay out of Walmart.

Seeing them cry makes my heart flutter. So if you must buy try to buy Blue. At a minimum stay outta Walmart.

[cliss]

27. Could it be?

Remember when the first wave of boycotts started here at the DU, I think it was right after the "election" in November. We were all urged to "Buy Blue".

Interestingly enough, Costco (a blue company)has reported over 10% sales increase. Wal-Mart, on the other hand, is showing a 0/7% loss and the articles mention they are becoming desperate.

Could it possibly be that our boycott is working? If so, then this is one of the more amazing articles I've read here at the DU.

You just get very, very used to not having a voice in this country. Everything we do is ignored at the administration level.

But this time, maybe not............

[crispini]

39. Oh, I hope so.

Those two are really the poster children for the boycott, too, because EVERYONE knows about them. Very interesting about Costco.

[ally_sc]

46. Walmart right around corner...haven't been and

Will not shop there. I am happy so far I have succesfully boycotted and told all my friends why. Word of mouth is the best policy. I went to Target and the shelves were pretty bare. Apparently a lot of people did the switch, however target should have expected it.

[artemisia1]

59. Target!

I'll pick Target any day over Wal-Mart. It's hard not to shop at ANY discount store so you have to pick and choose.

[Pachamama]

48. I'm headed to Costco now! Love supporting liberals!

Then I'm off to Gap....gawd I love this supporting democracy :)

[lastliberalintexas]

14. Yes, Ford wasn't perfect

by any means, particularly in his views towards Jews. But he did understand that capitalism requires both the supply of products/services and the consumer demand to purchase same in order for the system to work. There are a few capitalists like him around today (Gates, Buffet and Soros to name a few), but they certainly aren't in the majority.

[CheshireCat]

41. Not spending this year!

I have asked my family and friends not to buy me anything. Instead, I would like to spend a litle time with the people that I love. For those who I would like to surprise with something special, I am doing as you do.


"I am giving away personal treasures and things I do not use this year."

This is what I am doing, too.

My nephews get the last 2 of 3 silver dollars that I have left in the collection given to me by my Grandfather in the 1950's. These silver dollars are from the late 1800's and early 1900's.

My mother and my niece are getting my nicest jewelry. I would have left this jewelry to my niece when I died, but why wait for death. This way I can see her reaction and she will have it while she is young. (a ruby & diamond ring)

No longer do I care about expensive "things". The materialism of the Christmas season (and all other seasons in the US) makes me sick.

Don't shop.

If you must shop, please do not shop Wal-Mart!

[latteromden]

5. Nope, not gonna happen here.

Merry Christmas, Mr. President. :eyes:

[texpatriot2004]

22. I like the way you think. It's NOT going to happen here either.

Usually I love to shop, especially at Christmas time (ordinarily my favorite time of year). This year, even before Christmas I have only been buying necessities. Plus, I am making an effort to only buy BLUE. I haven't been in one mall and I won't be. I am not spending one red cent, not one thin dime. I CAN control where I spend. I CAN vote with my money. I don't have much extra money now anyway, but what I do have they aren't going to see.

[warrens]

7. Sales actually fell 3.3 percent over the weekend

The people doing well are the blue companies. Costco, Target, Best Buy, etc. I sincerely hope that the momentum to punish companies who donate to Rethugs continues. They're starting to SCREECH as their names and the amounts they donate are circulated, saying we're INTOLERANT and they have a RIGHT to give money to Smirk and his thugs. Yeah, assholes, you do. And I have a right to never walk into an outback or a Circuit City or a Wal-Mart ever again. A right I am exercising.

[Walt Starr]

11. Yep, the Target and Costco in my area were PACKED this weekend

The parking lot looked mighty empty over at Sam's, though.

[crispini]

13. Target is a RED company. n/t

[juliagoolia]

33. not completely red though

We have to give credit when credit is due.

They are no more red than shell (I think), but shell is considered blue because all of the other companies are SO VERY RED.

We have to look close at the numbers. I there is no alternative go to the "least red" you can find.

[crispini]

38. Right, but there's usually an alternative to Target, IMO.

Depends on what you're shopping for. It's true that they won't offer the wonderful one stop shopping experience that Target offers, and the prices will probably be a bit higher, but it can be done.

Can you tell I'm severely missing Target? :cry: I used to go there All. The. Time. I even grocery shopped at Super Target.

[Hard_Work]

42. Shell!!!!

I haven't bought ANYTHING from them for 20+ years. My personal Shell boycott was sparked by their refusal to divest from South Africa during the apartheid era, and has continued to this day...

[juliagoolia]

43. i know i know

but but but.... according to buy blue and choose the blue the shell folks coughed up more for Dems that Rethugs.... conflicted on this one.

[NuttyFluffers]

65. all gas is pretty much a crapshoot.

outside citgo, kinda, there really is no way to feel "clean" about using it. hence good miles per gallon engines and taking mass transit is a priority to me. but you can only do so much on it...

but at least don't drive a hummer back and forth buying one grocery at a time.
:)

[TexasChick]

44. I also thought Best Buy was a Red company? Am I wrong on that one? n/t

[cliss]

47. This is so amazing.

I still can't get over the fact that we have some MARKET POWER. It's hard to overestimate the importance of this. Think about it: the US is about marketing. Retail. Sales. Push some more sales on the hapless consumer.

Without sales, the US falters. Like a big stumbling giant, it staggers back and forth, threatening to topple. When we get together as a large group, we reclaim our power over THEM. Our pocketbooks are the TRUE LEADERS. And think about the DU: we're about 60,000 members. Not a huge amount in terms of the US (population: around 288,000,000), but I've gotten emails from the Democratic Party urging us to favor the "Blue Companies".

I LOVE THIS. This is one of the best posts I've read since joining the DU, almost 2 years ago.
:smoke:

[Zech Marquis]

66. AMEN

My mom loves getting an Outback gift certficate for Christmas--well thats over with :evilgrin: Best Buy's a blue company? Ill go there tomorrow and finish up my gift card buying :bounce: Target and Costco too! And I brought my iMac G5 from Apple, so I've been very Blue this holiday season :evilgrin:

[neverforget]

8. But the stock market is on the rise, high end retailers are making a

killing, what's there to complain about? :shrug: I guess we'll see if the rich can keep this economy afloat with their tax cuts while us serfs barely get by. :mad: :grr:

[ClintonTyree]

20. The Stock Market will rise, temporarily.............

there's nothing to back up this rise. Sales haven't risen enough to justify the stock prices. It's just another round of driving up the market until someone gives the signal, and POP, another redistribution of wealth. The only people getting hurt will be the middle class who are gullible enough to think that it's safe to get into the market again. The rich will get richer, stealing the working class' money, AGAIN, and the working class will lose all of their hard earned money. It's the same old song, over and over again. You'd think people would learn after a while.

[R Hickey]

70. A rise in the stock market means nothing when the dollar is falling

That's what the public is to stupid to "get."

If the dollar drops fifty percent (in relation to Euros and gold) then our stocks must double in dollar valuation, just to keep even.

If Bush makes the dollar worth a 'dime' over this next four years, then expect a ten-fold increase in the price of stocks.

China's tying their currency to our dollar, is the only thing that screws up my prognostications. But I think that Bush's weak dollar policy will eventually make China change its currency valuation policy, resulting in price increases in Wal-Mart.

[DustMolecule]

15. I went shopping last nite - extended hours to 11:00 pm at the mall

I bought two ski jackets for my kids, but I was (and am STILL) SHOCKED...those brand-name jackets were originally $70 reduced to $20! (and then I had two coupons for 20% off any apparel item)....the jackets cost $16 each.

I'm happy for my bargain, but I really have to wonder about the future of that store. Even with those 'deep-discounts', stuff was not 'flying off the shelves'. In fact, there weren't many people there at all (and most didn't seem to be buying much).

[gratuitous]

16. The test isn't so much how crowded the store is

It's how long you had to wait at the checkout line. Lots of people looking, but nobody buying. It's all anecdotal at this point, but the sales figures and profit results that will be posted in January and February will tell the full tale.

I wonder if any of the tax-cut zillionaires will be re-thinking their political priorities in the new year?

[TlalocW]

19. I never thought of it that way before...

I went to Best Buy to look for a hard to find movie, and it was very crowded and hard to get help. The lines at the registers were all short though. During the Clinton years, I had been in the same Best Buy, and the lines stretched through most of the store.

TlalocW

[StaggerLee]

17. That's it

I'm going to make it a point to visit my local malls this week. I want to see firsthand how people are NOT spending money.

I don't celebrate Christmas but I've found that I can't even afford to visit the bar with my co-workers this holiday season. I can barely afford my utility bills and car payment/ins. let alone buy a frivolous drink.

Well at least those Homobosecsuuals can't marry....:(

(sorry I know this is overdone but I can't help it)

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

29. That sounds like...

... a fun field trip. I wonder if I should bring a small notebook (paper, not electronic) to take notes with. What a novel excuse for watching people. :smoke:

[StaggerLee]

32. I'm a people watcher too!

Best place for that (IMO) is Vegas.
Of all the places I'VE been anyway...

:)

[TlalocW]

18. It's simplistic, but I've always used this to explain

to right-wingers why the economy sucks under republicans as opposed to Clinton, who worked to get more money to the lower and middle class.

Joe Sixpack loses his job to someone overseas so he's not able to buy that big screen tv he's been wanting for a while. This happens to a lot of Joe Sixpacks so Billy Boobtube who owns the electronic appliance store doesn't sell as many televisions as he would like so he has no reason to order any more from the warehouse. This happens to a lot of Billy Boobtubes so all the warehouses are full, and there's no place else to put any new televisions so production is slowed or halted at the factory that makes the televisions so even more Joe Sixpacks are laid off. Meanwhile, because Billy Boobtube's business isn't going so well, he's not going to buy that new car like he had planned so all the showrooms are full, and the car manufacturers have to lay people off just like the television people did, and the shift manager Clay Carbuerator isn't going to buy that new house, etc. This repeats itself over and over as different ripples in the job market affect each other until Pow! One day you wake up, and you've got another republican economy.

I think the effect that republicans have on the economy is fractal.

TlalocW

[JNelson6563]

21. Exactly

I forget the particulars but, reading on a ancient ruler, I saw where an invention tha twould hasten big building projects was disregarded because the leader had to provide work for the subjects so they could buy bread.

Ancient wisdom is always ignored by the Bushistas.

Julie

[Oddly Stevenson]

23. The plan

"Retailer's pray for last-minute splurge"

This is all part of *'s cunning plan to bring religion back to the retail industry, by making business so bad that retailer's literally beseech God for help.

Happy Holidays, everyone.

[Tansy_Gold]

51. And if sales don't go up, is that proof that

there is no god?


Tansy Gold, praying it's so :evilgrin:

[izzie]

24. Well I am going to save my $2 SS raise and I also

spent 2/3 of what I did last year.Guess they can not count on me.

[Q3JR4]

25. What the hell did they expect?

I have no money to spend on gifts for X-mas, so most retailers aren't getting the $100-$200 they usually do from me.

If I did have money, blue companies would have been on the top of the list.

[shawn703]

26. Well then they should have backed Kerry

That's my response when anybody whines about the country over the next four years.

[zann725]

37. Ditto! We had SUCH possibilities as a nation...

So sad.

[Don Claybrook]

28. #1: My primary role isn't "consumer". #2:....

#2: why is this being characterized as a "showdown"?

Is it any real wonder that they're not making any money, what with their adversarial relationship with non-compliant Consumers?

[jobycom]

30. Pray? It's the New Miracle on 34th Street

The New Miracle on 34th Street (or whatever street, I've never seen the movie) will be about a circle of corporate retail execs praying that people will begin spending. Two night before Christmas the poor, downtrodden, unemployed masses will flock mindlessly to the stores, plop down the last of the loose change they had saved to feed their families for the next two months, and buy plastic toys to kindle the light in the eyes of their children-- for about two hours, before the toys are discarded in favor of watching television.

The movie will end with the corporate execs crossing their chubby hands over their pot bellies as their trophy wives serve up an elaborate feast of dead birds, dead pigs, and dead cows, gushing over the Christmas spirit of giving as they plan their January jaunt to Monte Carlo in their tax-free corporate jets at the stockholders expense, and reflect on how much God loves them.

Welcome to the faith-based economy.

[otohara]

55. Suppose There Is A Website

we can all go to? Like the "pray for pres. boosh" sites...

[Tight_rope]

62. ROTFLMBAO...Thank You for the best laugh of the year!

[texpatriot2004]

31. Yeah, I am one of 12 million who hasn't even started and won't

[zann725]

34. Americans pray for last-minute jobs...and Election reversal!

And if Social Security is allowed to 'tank'(due to privatization), no retirees or Disabled will ever be retail shopping again.

Bushco (and Red State-ers) need to take 'Economy 101.' Retail sales, and the economy ARE gonna tank if people aren't earning money. Fasten your seat belts folks, sadly the plunge is coming.

One of the by-products of an UN-elected President. Send your thank-you notes to Diebold.

[lovuian]

35. When over 80% of a country's wealth is owned by a few

its called a Depression is coming!!!

[0007]

40. You got that one right!

[ally_sc]

45. if I had anymore to do...

it would be through the net which is what I normally do but i downsized this year for the sellabration...what do they expect..the dollar is down to 0.75 cents to the Euro

[Coventina]

49. Just got back from finishing my Christmas shopping

I probably spent about $150 bucks at the MOST.

It was DEADSVILLE out there. I couldn't believe it was Dec. 21.

I went to an EXTREMELY popular electronics store, and the parking lot was the emptiest I have EVER seen it, non-holiday time included.

The line at the cash register was the shortest I've ever seen it.

I also went to Target and it was a ghost town.

Things are not happy in retail-land.

[Tansy_Gold]

54. "Things are not happy in retail-land"

ROFLMAO.

As my husband would say in his navy days, "My heart pumps purple panther piss for 'em."

Our main gift to our distant family members (parents, siblings, daughter & son-in-law) this year was a 12-day, 5300-mile trip to visit everyone in November. It was also our gift to each other, although I'm not sure three nights' sleeping in the front (and only) seat in the truck was exactly "gift wrapping."

Smaller gifts to nearer family and friends are all hand-made, something we've been doing for over 20 years.

The retailers can kiss my holiday ass.


Tansy Gold

[Tracer]

53. Drastic Discounts are the Name of the Game.

I just got back from "Mall-Land". Usually I avoid that area like the plague, but was drawn there by a Staples ad in the paper this morning for a Canon digital camera AND a printer for $89.00!. I snapped it up for my hard-to-buy-for-daughter.

The roads by Mall-Land were mobbed (don't know about the stores), but Staples was just about empty.

[SOS]

56. The greed of the credit card companies

may also be hurting retail.
26% interest, $35 over limit fee, $35 late fee, etc etc.
People are getting shafted.

[bluedonkey]

60. I am one of the 12million

who will not spend one red penny.I will help my son and daughter-in-law to pay off some of their credit cards.(My gift to them.}
They already cut up the cards,except for one.{Their gift to me}
I miss Circuit City!

[bling bling]

61. Nice headline. Well, keep praying.

Maybe if you pray hard enough Jesus will buy your stuff. Or you could ask Our Leader to help you pray...I hear all the time about how he has direct connections to Him.

[Tight_rope]

63. Keep praying. Us 12 million haven't and won't be buying shit. We are broke

[sbj405]

67. I work for the gov, there's a rumor that we'll get 4 hours off tomorrow

I, of course, immediately thought that was another last ditch attempt to get us to stimulate the economy. ;-)

[BR_Parkway]

68. They will spin this as backlash for saying Happy Holidays, instead

of Merry Christmas. We have to spin everything these days in favor of the evengelicals who gave Shrub his mandate - didn't you get the memo?

[proReality]

69. Faith-Based?

I know a lot of "Jesus hating" Lefties who this year decided to buy only one gift for everyone on their list and make the holiday a 'service' time, to help the truly needy.

Seems to me that too many "Christians" worship commercialism, while the "faithless" and "Satan loving" Lefties are doing the work of Jesus.

Maybe the world really has turned upside down.

[superconnected]

72. I'm spending about $350 this time around

It wasn't busy where I went.

Maybe the republicans will finally put it together that people won't spend because they have lost their jobs, or are on short term contracting jobs and can't afford to be buying stuff because they will be unemployed again soon.

Somehow I don't think they'll get it though. They'll decide it's the peoples fault for not buying presents and insist we have a rebounding? economy. Expect more layoffs in January.

[mediaman007]

73. Fine!...I prayed that Kerry/Edwards would win. My prayer only cost me

a few hundred dollars and some weekends.

[TXDemGal]

74. Guess what? They can keep waiting

'cuz the surge ain't coming. I keep getting spam emails from desperate retailers touting their wonderful prices. Come spend, spend, spend they admonish. Guess what? I finished all holiday spending weeks ago, buying primarily from independent retailers (not chains) and no more money is leaving my hands. :nopity:

[Habibi]

75. Never was big into Christmas anyway

and this year less so. Of course, my family's gotten smaller--parents dead. This year, I gave my brother and sister donations to a local food bank in their names. We have roofs over our heads, heat, and enough food. Many don't. Guess that kind of "shopping" isn't germane in this economy.

Have seen lots of people at the mall and the box stores (not Wally World--I don't set foot there), but as a previous poster mentioned, the cashier lines are *very* short.