"They're trying to capture whatever dollars they can fast, because the dollars are going to run out"

... as soon as shoppers have their first heating bill." -Candace Corlett, a retailing analyst discussing the big push stores are making to attract holiday shoppers early. (Reprinted in the Sunday Edition of the News & Observer under the topic 'Overheard').

This economy is teetering on the edge, and a downturn in holiday sales is ahead.

I do hate that minimum monthly charge from the gas company.

I went to the local mall(yeah, I know, I know, but the best haircutter works there and I was looking rather shaggy), and was utterly surprised at how quickly all the stores had shifted into full blown Christmas mode, complete with music, lights, trees, and Santa coming next week. I was utterly appalled, since the full court press usually doesn't start until a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, but they've upped the stakes this year. Same on television, lots more Christmas themed ads already running.

Frankly I find it disgusting and appalling. I usually don't go shopping until a week or two before Christmas. This year many of my gifts are going to be home made, we simply don't have the money to spend.

I agree with you, this is going to be a really down retail year.

... watching one of the ads on tv in our market right now --50% off sale pre-holiday.

It won't take long for the retail merchants to realize they will be lucky to cover their inventory costs if the shoppers run out of money.

Remember, Walmart announced a couple of weeks ago that they were going to be lowering prices on thousands of items before and during the holiday shopping season, pretty much what they usually do much later and after the holidays.

we have to get them in their pocketbooks because certainly they have hit ours.

early, but hadn't considered that as the cause. Makes a LOT of sense. People who heat their homes with oil especially are going to be hurting this winter.

22% forecasted increase in heating oil costs and a 10% forecasted increase in natural gas costs are going to hit consumers hard.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/10/09/news/economy/heating/

Add onto that the increase in gasoline, food, health care, and everything else. And many people have no equity left in their homes to borrow against and existing high credit card debt, so you can't count on credit fueling the Christmas shopping season either.

given the rise in their currency against the US Dollar.

I have a couple of Canadian friends and the last time I talked to them they said they didn't like going to the States anymore - too scary, like going to an old "Iron Curtain" country. Gave me a chill...

to visit for some time to come. Once we collapse, our bones will make good pickings, but no one would want to visit for any extended time...

"Chestnuts roasted by an open car battery
Jack boots rifling through your clothes."

And :scared:

See the shops with the broken doors,
The media all are whores,
And everywhere the Leader's picture smiles..."

willing to drive for "bargains".

Not at great prices, but I think after the holidays, it will crash.

Getting anything he can now & buying materials to work on the house. If it doesn't crash, he can always buy more,
but I think the economy is heading for the crash. The holidays will keep it somewhat propped up because some shopping will occur,
but it will be a bad season no doubt.

Buckle up. It is going to be a rough ride.

Invest in a lot of sweater in the cold weather states. Oh man.

Reality will sink in one of these fine days and people will wake the fuck up to exactly what the bushits have done to their country.