U.S. retailers cut jobs as shoppers stop shopping

[UpInArms]

Source: Reuters

CHICAGO (Reuters) - From Ann Taylor to Sears to Wilsons The Leather Experts, it seems the only thing retailers are moving out the doors these days is jobs.

Since the beginning of 2008, retailers -- beset by an environment where scared consumers have slashed spending on apparel and discretionary items -- have eliminated 75,000 jobs, according to Labor Department data released on Friday. That accounts for almost one-third of the non-farm payroll jobs lost this year.

What's worse for the U.S. economy is the cuts are likely not just a reaction to weak sales, but also a sign that retailers do not expect improvement any time soon, analysts said.

"As they come through the last two or three quarters, they are beginning to realize there isn't an end in sight," said Wendy Liebmann, chief executive at consulting firm WSL Strategies. Retailers are anticipating "the next shoe, or the other shoe or the other shoe, to drop going forward."

<snip>

"What we're seeing today is a consumer who is buying virtually nothing, unless it's a need item," said Britt Beemer, chairman of America's Research Group. "If it's a want item, they aren't buying it."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSN0643751320080406?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true

[0007]

1. The boosters wet dream has arrived.

[mac2]

2. The Republicans shot themselves in the foot when they

voted for Bush. If people have no money for extras other than food and shelter they won't consume. This is Economics 101.

Even Henry Ford knew better. His son not since he outsourced headquarters to Ireland for cheaper labor and tax breaks (the company American workers and consumers made rich). Second generation rich are sometimes clueless about how to run a huge business. More than likely they run it into the ground.

Bush wants us to be South America and on our backs to be his serfs. He wants to be king with his little lords (and ladies) in Congress.

[NMDemDist2]

3. yup, I'm just amazed it's showing up in the reports. A DUer called it a couple days ago

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3111866

[Malikshah]

21. And was accused of being rude by another poster for the OP's "ad hominem"

attack.

It appears some on this board do not have a clue about the likes of Wal-Mart and other companies and their actions.

[Rex]

4. Wants and needs, but no recession or depression.

Series,

[kestrel91316]

5. Hell, I'd BUY a few damned clothes if the stores had anything

besides Teen Street Whore fashion wear.........

Tell me, where exactly am I to find NORMAL RESPONSIBLE WORKING ADULT attire?? And I mean PRACTICAL clothes made of PRACTICAL fabrics...........without bizarre sleeves/cuffs, or tight fit, or impossible buttons.....I mean, WTF?????

[Trillo]

6. The most "practical" fabric is from an "illegal" plant.

Hemp.

My cotton jeans (I only wear jeans and t-shirts, both made from cotton) keep splitting in the seat right where one rear pocket is sewn on. I'm tired of buying jeans at any price that seem designed to rip after four months of "light-duty" use.

[melm00se]

32. a friend of mine is an

honest to goodness tailor.

I bitched about the same thing and his comment was: jeans are made for an idyllic waist, rise and butt, none of which you (I) have and if you (I) could find a pair that I wasn't constantly hiking up, they wouldn't wear out there.

[knitter4democracy]

85. I'm hanging onto my hemp jeans.

I got some on sale once, and while that was many pounds ago, I'm not getting rid of them. When they fit, they were one of the best pairs of jeans I ever had. They are super soft, wear like iron, wash up better, and are amazing jeans. I keep thinking of getting another pair, but I doubt anyone makes them in bigger sizes that really fit.

[Tansy_Gold]

8. Make your own

I learned to sew out of necessity, because I'm short and very little that's ready-made fits me. Tee-shirts, blouses, some skirts -- those I could buy, but once I discovered I could make my own, make it better, make it cheaper, I quit spending my money on junk.

[femrap]

18. That's what I want to do....

I just like classic stuff.

[tblue37]

25. Tansy, I used to do that. In fact, for two years I even had my own

tailoring/dressmaking business. But I am 57 now and I have arthritis in my hands, as well as painful disc problems in my lower back. Although I still hem my own clothes, I can't sew whole garments any more, and I live in such a tiny apartment I also have no place to put a sewing machine or anything else. In fact, I gave my big Bernina that I used in my shop to my kids' stepmother, because I had no place to put it once I closed my chop.

I have tried to have garments custom made, but once I closed my own shop, that pretty much did away with the custom sewing in this town that could be trusted to get it right. The people with seamstress businesses here now just aren't that good.

[kestrel91316]

69. I have been sewing my own clothes since 1970, lol, but not so much

since I have been a practice owner. Also, I know from sad experience that I lack the skill to make nicely tailored button-down shirts like I prefer, and of course skirts and dresses are OUT in a vet clinic. As are knits and silks.

The Pfaff needs to go in for repairs, but I may haul it out to make some skirts/jumpers/comfy stuff for casual.

My greatest needs are for slacks and shirts for work, neither of which are in my league.

[gristy]

11. I recommend JC Penny

That's where I get all my stuff. I'm 50.

[tblue37]

24. Kestrel, I have spent the last two weeks desperately looking to spend some

money on shoes to wear with a skirt to my daughter's graduation from med school in May. I am 57 years old. I had bunion surgery last summer on one foot, and plantar fasciitis surgery in 2002 on the other foot. I also have painful disc problems in my lower back, so I use a cane most of the time. I won't wear shoes that will cause damage to my feet, but I would be willing to spend a fair amount on nice looking shoes that don't hurt to stand and walk in.

I wear either New Balance walking shoes or what I call black or brown "grandmother shoes" with long pants most of the time, but I would dearly love to be able to wear a nice dress or skirt to my daughter's graduation. Unfortunately, there are no comfortable shoes out there other than ones that look like something my old Italian grandmother used to wear with rolled down black hose!

My sister (age 53) and I went out looking for clothes in Kansas City on Sunday of last week. We had a lot of trouble finding anything other than what you call Teen Street Whore fashion. Even "old lady" stores like Dress Barn and Avenue offer mainly styles that are not suitable for older bodies. Anything that does seem suitable for an older body is always in some ridiculously cheap polyester than no one wants to wear.

We are both a bit overweight. What I want to know is why, when I find a cute shirt, does it have cap sleeves or no sleeves? Older women with a few extra pounds on them do not want to show off their flabby upper arms!

Whoever is designing this crap is really missing out on a huge market full of women in middle age or late middle age who want to look stylish, but who no longer have slender, gym-toned bodies.

Anyway, I went out looking for shoes again today--ready to spend almost any amount I had to in order to find a decent pair.

No luck at all.

On the rare occasions in the past when I have bought shoes that fit comfortably, I have bought a pair in every color available, as well as two pairs each in black and brown or taupe, because I know that there is a good chance I won't find another pair for many, many years. Once I went ten years without buying new shoes, because I couldn't find any that were not cripplingly painful to wear!

So, yes, the market has collapsed because people have no money--but when we do want to spend money, there is nothing but crap for sale.

[pipi_k]

30. RE: shoes

Hi there...

I'm 55 with loads of foot problems...same thing with the shoes. I can never find any that feel good and, in addition, my feet seem to have grown larger with age, so they have to be double wide. Think Donald Duck feet...

I got two brand new pairs of "Drew" Mary Janes on eBay...the "Bloom" model. They come with two removable inner soles for comfort, are leather, and very comfortable. I detest wearing shoes, but I find I can wear these for extended periods of time (like more than 30 minutes...hee hee). Anyway, I managed to get each pair for less than half the retail cost, which is nice because they are about $100 a pair.

Love 'em... :)

[tblue37]

31. Thanks, I will check those out! n/t

[truth2power]

36. Wow! You and Kestrel have said it..

I find it really depressing to shop for clothes. I'm middle-aged, short, and I tend to carry my weight around my middle.

There are just no stylish clothes for mature women. I have to hem every pair of slacks I buy. For some strange reason the designers seem to think that as the sizes get larger the garment has to get way longer. I really like the cut-offs in the summer, but if they have some sort of weird cuff then the alterations required to shorten them aren't worth the trouble.

And yes, the tops/blouses are always designed for some 16 year old who looks like a stick. Spandex something-or-other that fits close to the body and shows every bit of fat. Why can't they make tops from fabric that drapes nicely, has some style and conceals a less than svelte body? Is that too much to ask?

Oh, and if I go from Misses to Women's, the armholes hang practically to my waist and the necks are so large the garment falls off my shoulders.

And don't even mention shoes. I was looking for some dress shoes this weekend. What's with these things that look like they took a block of wood and glued some straps on it. How about a nice pump with a pretty feminine, maybe 1 1/2 or 2 inch heel?

Yes, I want to buy classic clothes. I'd like a few items that I could mix and match to make several outfits. I don't want things with garish colors and bells, feathers and weird ropes and things hanging all over them.

I think it's an indication of what corporations actually think of older people.

[Mojorabbit]

43. I have the same problem with armholes

I am somewhat busty and if it fits in that area the armholes are showing half of the side of my body.
It is frustrating.

[knitter4democracy]

50. Do you have a DSW nearby?

I lucked out finding some heels for a wedding in the family this summer that match my dress perfectly. I often have luck there, except in tennis shoes--those I have to get at the Easy Spirit outlet to find my size.

[kineneb]

56. and just try finding affordable tall women's clothing...ha!

5'9", robust but not fat, mostly leg-wear 34" inseam men's sz. pants... most regular women's pants are capri length on me, and really dorky looking.

I have better luck in the men's dept., than in misses sizes. Tall sizes are available only through catalogs, and almost never go on sale (have limited budget). Most women's tall clothing is too dowdy for me, and boxy cuts make me look like a moose. The odometer may say close to 50, but the vehicle is very well preserved and looks much younger... am thinking a "grown-up goth" look might suit me (love corsets).

Women's blouses/shirts are always too short in the torso and sleeves... if I can find women's tall jeans, I am ok, but men's t-shirts still fit better for length. I do not wish to share either my upper arms or my torso with the world.

I will have to get back to sewing, once my personal life calms down a bit.

[Samurai_Writer]

57. Try finding tall women's clothing in plus sizes, too!

It's damned near impossible. I did find tall jeans on Just My Size's website (www.jms.com) that start at size 16. They are the only jeans I can wear, and are long. My inseam is 36", I am basically all leg, too!

[Pharlo]

80. I know exactly what you're saying.

I have a 36" inseam, and trying to find legs that are long enough if you're a size 12 or less is damn near impossible. I, too, find myself in the mens section for jeans.

[knitter4democracy]

49. Easy Spirit shoes are the only ones I can wear anymore.

Sometimes Naturalizer, but I can count on Easy Spirit to fit. I have an outlet of theirs three hours away, and I drive there (tons of sizes and options, even dress shoes).

[sentelle]

53. i have a simpler but similar problem

I am actually envious of people that have nice, comfortable shoes.
I occasionally see them in stores, but they just don't work for me. Wrong size, mostly. Here's the thing. I'm about 4 inches taller than average (that makes me 6'-2") and a size 13 shoe.

20 years ago, size 13 was the top size of the 'normal' sizes. Now, I waste less time by walking into a shoe store, ignore the shoes, and ask "what do you have in size 13". They go into the back and return with the 2 pairs of that size, both ugly, and generally I walk out, unless my shoes have holes in the soles.

And there's another pisser. Most shoes nowadays can't be repaired. These plastic soles are made to be thrown away. Not that its easy to find a shoe repair place either. I think I saw one, in the next town. So even if you can find comfortable shoes, you can't keep them.

[tblue37]

64. Yes, that is why I end up going for years without a new pair of shoes--I can't find any to buy!

[juno jones]

68. I have size 9 1/2 duck feet

I wear men's shoes. Boots mostly. I have a pair of Italian-made 'men's' beetle-style boots with a slightly higher heel that have lasted me for years and look quite feminine. I cannot wear high-heels and now my feet have spread a bit, cannot fit into most.... Personaly, i've found men's shoes are built to last longer. I have some women'sdress shoes for certain occasions, but I cannot wear them any longer than an hour or two, and certainly do not go dancing in them.

[kestrel91316]

70. I have a very limited range of acceptable shoes.

So here's the shoe rack:
Three pairs of nearly identical unornamented dress pumps, 2" heels, in black, taupe, and white. Moderately pointed toes, heel neither pointy nor blocky. I have had all these for 10-15 years and wear them so infrequently, I will surely have them until I die.
Two pairs of sneakers/running shoes - one black, one white.
Two pairs of comfy, walkable slip-ons - brown pair is Dansko clogs WITH piece across the back; black pair is just some anonymous little slip-on with elastic inserts, they almost look like dancing slippers and are COMFY. These are my work shoes.
One pair of suede sandals in flip-flop style.

THAT'S IT.

When the black slip-ons wear out, they get replaced with black Danskos. I have ZERO tolerance for useless decorative footwear.

[Jane Austin]

34. I order online from

some companies that have cotton clothing with pockets and sleeves.

I even found some underwear that was made in the USA!

I look at the ads in the papers in vain trying to find something that can be worn by a more "mature" lady.

[truth2power]

37. Please see my post, # 36 above.

[tavalon]

39. Thrift stores

There are more than enough clothes out there to clothe us all.

[kestrel91316]

72. I got a fabulous 100% merino wool Italian-made big roomy comfy

cardigan "Grandma" sweater for $2 at Goodwill a couple years ago. I wear it EVERY day in cooler weather. They don't make them anymore - all the cardigans I find are skimpy and tight - IOW USELESS.

[tavalon]

83. Yep, you can find the most amazing throwaways

Many years ago, I was working at my first job that required suits and I was struggling to have gotten 3 nice ones on the salary we made. A secretary who made much less that me as a registered nurse always came in in designer clothes and she had four times the inventory I had. I finally asked her how she managed that. She was proud of her thriftiness and let me in on some of her best haunts. The first time I walked in, it felt weird, but the first time I found a perfect suit for less than a tenth of what I would have gotten at Foleys, I was hooked. I can't remember the last time I've shopped for clothes anywhere but at thrift stores. My son who has no fashion aspirations whatsoever, gets dressed fashionably from the thriftstores and since he's growning about an inch a night (seems like!) I don't feel bad when he outgrows the clothes I just bought him - I jut recycle them into the midst.

[knitter4democracy]

86. I make them.

:)

I agree--tight cardis are pretty worthless. It's the style now, even in the knitting mags. I agree that something with some fitting and waist shaping is more flattering, but tight in a cardi makes it worthless. It's supposed to be a layering piece.

That reminds me, I should finish that aran one I started a year ago. :blush:

[NBachers]

42. Duluth Trading

I've bought a lot of clothes from Duluth Trading recently. I like 'em. Honest, long-wearing clothes for plain old working people. What I've bought works for me.

[MadMaddie]

44. I love to wear button down dress shirts

but try to find one without the stretchy bicepss. I can't stand it. And we are all not size 2's what the hell are they thinking.

Don't get me started on the damn shoes. The block heals and the block toes do nothing for me.

But I bet that $600.00 that everyone is going to go into the economy...not.

[JDPriestly]

45. Ditto!!!

And a made in America label wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[knitter4democracy]

51. Since I'm overweight, my options are limited.

I've found Lane Bryant to consistently have good stuff and lots of work stuff, too. Their sales are good.

Kohls has decent stuff for regular sizes, and I can find clothes there every once in awhile. My favorite place, though, is Nordstrom Rack, Nordstrom's outlet. Great prices, and I've found wonderful things there for cheap.

[kestrel91316]

73. Yeah, I should go over to Kohl's or find a Penney's (if there ARE any here..).

[knitter4democracy]

74. I prefer Kohls for me, Penney's for the kids.

I have found nice stuff at Penney's for me before, too, though.

[kestrel91316]

77. I was disappointed in Sears recently. Bought a couple of shirts off

the rack (teach me to be in a hurry and not try on) and one of them was a REALLY skimpy tight cut with short "Chinese-lady" sleeves (and no, I DON'T have particularly long arms, lol). I wore it a couple times but really really hate it and have to just give it to Goodwill......

[knitter4democracy]

84. If I go to Sears, I only get the Lands End stuff.

That usually fits well and lasts pretty well. The other stuff I've had from there hasn't fit well or lasted long (though a Christmas sweatshirt I got there has stayed comfy and lasted a few years). Their kids stuff is better.

Do you have a Nordstrom Rack nearby? I luuuuurrrrve them. I got some great jeans there a couple years back (before my massive weight gain, thanks to surgery) for thirty bucks that fit the best I'd ever had, and I found out later that they were originally $120 (a totally insane price for jeans). I've gotten great cashmere sweaters there for twenty bucks and soft shirts for eight. Their men's section is amazing--great work shirts for Hubby for $15 and sweaters for not much more.

[truedelphi]

61. It's sad ain't it. A few years ago, I was so depressed by what was out there

When I managed to find one only slightly over priced item, I bought it - only to have it split apart about a week later.

If it wasn't for thrift stores - I'd be naked - now there's a scary thought!

They have even managed to ruin blue jeans - adding spandex to them. It helps "the fit," the sales lady explained. If I wanted a non-braeathable, sweaty fabric to run around in, I wouldn't be thinking of wearing jeans to begin with!

[tblue37]

65. Oh, and what about this stupid "modern fit," which is basically half-way between

a hiphugger and a normal waist. We middle-aged women, especially those of us carrying extra poundage, do not want pants that land two or three inches below our normal waistline and cut into our bellies when we sit down!

[truedelphi]

66. Maybe they should just issue us huge sacks to wear

With stenciling on them - "No longer teen age slut material"

If they were comfy non-spandex sacks - I might not compalin!

[stubtoe]

67. Say it, my sister!!

When oh when will women's clothing have a normal waistline. A little something to help camouflage the belly bulge (pleats?) would be welcome too.

Let the kids keep the hip huggers.

[clspector]

82. well, as a short-waisted gal

I like the lower-rise pants. Regular waists hit me around my rib cage and makes me look freakish. I think the real problem is that "turnover" is the goal. They don't want to make classic clothes. They want to make cheap, crappy clothes that go out of style (or fall apart) in one season.

[knitter4democracy]

75. Spandex helps with the fit--as long as it lasts, anyway.

I've found that the spandex loses its snap after about six months to a year. Then, it's worthless. Built-in obsolescence.

Best jeans I ever found were some hemp ones on sale. Even though they're too small now, I hang onto those in hopes I can lose enough weight to fit in them again. Super soft, hard wearing, no spandex but good fit, and worth every penny.

[Dulcinea]

63. I hear you!

And I'm not that hard to fit...5-feet-6 and a size 8. However, too much in the stores is cheaply made & looks like crap! I'm 42 & refuse to wear anything that exposes my belly or is too short.

I've had good luck with Sierra Trading Post & Travel Smith (both online retailers.) They carry a wide range of sizes, too. And I sometimes buy T-shirts from Old Navy.

[onehandle]

7. I shop online. A lot. I go to local stores, browse, check prices on my iPhone as I shop.

And buy much of what I can online.

If Webvan still existed, most of my grocery shopping would be done through them.

My wife and I are planning a move to a major city (Atlanta is not a major city). There we will have our groceries delivered too.

[bluesmail]

9. way to go cheney/ bush

you've effectively poisoned our planet while destroying our economy.

[nxylas]

35. Do you think the Repukes will even TRY to win the next election?

Or will they just pray for the economy to stay circling the pan until after November so that they can blame the subsequent crash on the Democratic president?

[bluesmail]

41. sure they will try, whomever doesn't resign or opt out of running

I'm of the opinion that *something* is going to happen, to suspend the elections, anything from attacking Iran, *'s assassination, or it could be racial. But I definitely believe 'right now' that the elections will be postponed indefinitely, how would anyone let go of the power they've usurped? If McCain looks like he'll win...(don't want to think about THAT).

[robinlynne]

52. HIllary is certainly helping give McCain a push.

[nxylas]

55. Yes, but Hillary has her own reasons for wanting a McCain win in November

Assuming she doesn't get the nomination that is. I'm talking about the GOP top brass. I lived in the UK until 2002 and I remember that John Major's Tory government seemed to be deliberately trying to sabotage their chances in the 1992 general election there, and London's Labour mayor Ken Livingstone reports that they were horrified when they actually won, because they knew that Britain's economy was going down the shitter and they wanted a Labour government to take the blame so that they could win again in 1997. Of course the end result was that Labour won in 1997 and have been winning ever since.

[lonestarnot]

79. Well that lie won't work this time.

[Wednesdays]

10. You'd think this was all hooey if you read some of the responses

on this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3111866

After all, retailer Target sales were actually up in February compared to last year... :eyes:

[AllentownJake]

13. Target and Wal-Mart

Should do ok because they are the cheaper retailers. Department stores are another story. I wish I had the link but I read an article a month ago about the upper middle class moving to Target and Wal-Mart to save money.

[The Doctor.]

12. Here goes the spiral.

I'm not terribly religious, but this wouldn't be a bad time to start praying.

[mcollier]

14. Great Discussion about The Great Depression

Several problems:

Credit Card interest rates: Get the DVD "MAXED OUT" Must See Documentary...

Transportation Costs: Truckers are now spending $900 to fill up their tanks; 1/3 of operating cost of airlines are fuel. Just everyday people's cost of getting to and from work (but everyone feels this)...

Baby Boomer Generation retiring at the same time when they are seeing their life's savings (retirement and 401k) drop like a rock.

Food Costs - Grocery store visits are getting much more painful...

Energy Costs - BGE (Baltimore Gas & Electric) slapped near an 70% increase in energy charge rates to consumers... OUCH! And really now competiton...

Fewer "Living Wage" Jobs... Fewer "None Living Wage" Jobs...: Over 200,000 jobs cut in first qtr 2008... Many more on the way out.

Rent is way up. Foreclosures are way up. Property values are way down. Interest Rates for consumers are still up (6.35%) or so, despite the government significantly lowering interest rates for banks and investment firms... The Feds poured a trillion dollars into the financial markets over the past 8 months, and much more to come... Where did this money come from and who's going to pay for it?

People with poor credit, can't get credit to bail themselves out of the mess, The Great Depression sets in... From Family to Family...

The War In IRAQ... Talk about an "Ear Mark" Spending $10 to $12 Billion a month on an experiment gone bad... "Hello, Washington we have a fire raging in America, Hello...Hello?


We have an Administration that has so FUBAR'ED America's:
Financial Policy
Energy Policy
Foreign Policy
Domestic Policy


Find answers at: www.barackobama.com

[gorfle]

16. It's gas prices.

People have to work. Most of us have to drive to get to work. As the price of gas goes up, there is less and less money for fun things.

We rented a tiller this weekend and tilled up a nice 20'x30' plot and we are going to try growing vegetables to try and offset the gas cost by reducing food costs.

[Andy823]

22. We grow our own veggies every year

This year I am building raised beds, easier to work them as I get older. I have built two so far, 10 foot by 4 foot and 20 inches high. I plan on building on more this next week, and if I need more I will build them next year. I still have my cucumbers and squash growing on a trellis, and we have berries and asparagus also. What I don't grow will be bought at the local farmers market, which seems to get bigger each year!

I also plan on doing more fishing this year in the local lakes and rivers. I have a boat with an electric trolling motor, so I only use a small amount of gas for the runs to the good fishing spots. I was laid up the last two fishing seasons due to a car accident, but I plan on getting back into it this year. Smoked fish are great!

[truedelphi]

71. A lot of people cn't even if they have the land around their place

IF you rent, your landlord has a "landscaping team" come in every month and their job is to walk hither and yon and mow, rake, and leaf blow.

I've lost two or three gardens until this year we finally have a landlord that doesn't do that. (Since Landscapers are usally from South of the border, putting up signs to tell them what is a seedling experiment etc won't work.)

[Yael]

20. Thanks for the recommend.

I added this to my queue.

:hi:

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Maxed_Out/70058892?trkid=222336&lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=1773955516_0_0

[AnneD]

59. It's free on google

eom

[JDPriestly]

46. Senior citizens can't spend because the low interest rates have reduced their incomes.

Just thought I would add that one to your great list, mcollier.

[physioex]

47. There are two great movies that can be seen free on google video...

Maxed Out and In Debt We Trust. Hope you have also seen the second one.

[Red Zelda]

15. I work in retail

We have been very busy selling ... shoes. That's right, women's shoes. But it seems I see a lot of consumers are in a daze ... walking around the department store with their mouths open, credit cards in hand. Nobody pays cash except those who appear to be foreign-born. Many people buy things, then return them days later, as if shopping were just a bad habit, not a necessity. Of course, lots of government/military jobs around here, too, so they've got money.

[Donkeykick]

17. Don't worry Dubya will fix this...

with his rebates from China. :eyes:

[bronxiteforever]

19. Gas,weak dollar, deficit spending, endless war-is this really a surprise?

Tax cuts during war spending? How can a nation continually spend more than it has in revenue when its currency is falling-people say we are in uncharted territory and I say look at history and see how many countries and empires fell due to war debt spending-this is simply history repeating itself and the fraud is that the US thought it was immune to historical trends.

[Inkyfuzzbottom]

23. I don't remember

the last time I set foot in a mall. I buy all our clothes at thrift stores, ebay and online. I'm amazed at the expensive, high quality, designer clothing I find in thrift shops. We dress very well and delight in saying "I got it at Goodwill!" when people compliment our clothing. It's especially fun when it's someone who would "never wear USED clothing". I know a snobby woman who has a kid in desperate need of braces. She claims she can't afford braces but must have all the latest name brand clothes. When it was suggested she try the thrift stores she was aghast. Her priorities are really jacked up.

[JNelson6563]

40. Me too!

Not only is there a bigger variety of things in my difficult to find size in the sources you mention but the quality of these used clothes is vastly greater than what's in stores these days. How crazy is it that one gets a bigger variety and better quality for a fraction of ill-fitting poorly made stuff in the new-stuff stores?

America, where every day is backward day.

Julie

[JackDragna]

26. It's all too easy to explain.

We've fought a long war, and won, against the middle class. Cut jobs, fire people who are 30 or above and demand serious compensation for high skills and experience, move jobs overseas. End result? The gutting of the middle class, whose consumer spending is the backbone of the economy. Of course, the massive debt people are in, the high cost of living and the fragile banking system doesn't help, either.

[newburgh]

27. Unfortunate for the workers but great for the environment.

We can only hope for any slowdown of consumerism and the unprofitability/unsustainability of the big box national chains to finally come to pass. Back to homemade and homegrown and local farms and local business.

[HockeyMom]

28. My daughter works at Bloomies

She said they met their quota, but barely. Hey, I guess if you can afford to pluck down $300 for just one shirt, well, something like $3.40 a gallon gas is chump change.

My daughter is security, loss prevention as they call it. She said there have been very few "busts" lately. That IS interesting.

[physioex]

48. Come on...

Shoplifting has never been about the poor who steal out of need.

[grasswire]

29. I was in an empty mall on Thursday afternoon.

Great big mall with big name anchors -- Nordstrom, Macy's, Penney's, Sears. It was virtually empty. Empty. Not just slow, but empty. Huge food court -- only two or three tables full. I was stunned, and a bit scared by it.

[grace0418]

33. Well, it certainly didn't help in Chicago that is was one of the shittiest winters on record.

Who wants to go shopping for any more than absolute necessities when it's freezing and awful and there's nowhere to park? Today was a beautiful day and all the shops in my neighborhood were packed with people buying all sorts of stuff (definitely not just necessities).

[scarface2004]

38. wait till the lousy $300 checks get mailed in may!!

after filling up we can get a pack of hanes t shirts and a candy bar!!

[bdamomma]

54. this is a bad ripple effect that will affect lots of people.

[LeftHander]

58. oil driven consumer based economies will fail......

Not if...when.

[truedelphi]

76. And unfortunately it is probably "now" as opposed to

"when"

[Orsino]

60. And I'll bet they blame the shoppers, too. n/t

[dysfunctional press]

62. shouldn't the headline say "shoppers stop buying" or "people stop shopping"...?

once shoppers stop shopping, are they still shoppers?

[callous taoboy]

78. Just staples for me for years now- Goodwill for clothes and

I take very good care of my clothing and car. I do eat well, though.

[Cobalt Violet]

81. " consumer who is buying virtually nothing" isn't really a consumer.

Ha Ha!!! Priced right out of the consumtion game.