As projected, the media is focusing on the depressed holiday sales this year (see links below). I have talked with a couple of garden centers who indicated their holiday sales were strong. However, they happened to be located in areas where the downturn has been buffered somewhat (see previous post here).
• Retailers Brace for Major Change
WSJ, DECEMBER 27, 2008• Bargain-Hunting Shoppers Turn Up Noses at Post-Christmas Sales
Bloomberg, Dec. 27 2008• Amazon Claims ‘Best Ever’ Christmas (Whatever That Means)
NYT Bits, December 26, 2008• For stores, a very un-merry holiday
CNN/Money.com, December 26, 2008• Retail stocks suffer, some defy dismal sales data
Reuters, Dec 26, 2008• Christmas Aftermath: Navigating the Gift Return
WSJ, Holiday Sales Blog• Holiday Sales Tumble as U.S. Consumers Cut Spending
Bloomberg, Dec. 26 2008• US-Holiday sales may be down 4 pct -SpendingPulse
UK Reuters, Dec 26, 2008 2:12pm GMT• Amazon says 2008 holiday season was ‘best ever’
AP, Dec 26, 2008• Fresh survey shows gloomy U.S. retail sales: report
MarketWatch, Dec. 26, 2008• Amazon Lauds Its Holiday Sales
WSJ, DECEMBER 26, 2008, 9:41 A.M. ET• Retail sales dismal in United States and Britain
International Herald Tribune, December 25, 2008• Retailers slash prices to entice holiday shoppers
AP, Dec 26, 2008• After-holiday prices reach ‘rock bottom’
THE TENNESSEAN, DECEMBER 26, 2008• Visits to U.S. Retailers Fell 24% on Weekend Before Christmas
Bloomberg, Dec. 25 2008• Retail Sales Plummet
WSJ, DECEMBER 25, 2008• Early Reports Confirm Weak Holiday Shopping
NYT, December 24, 2008