Kurt Barnard
Kurt Barnard
christmas finally hard industry jobs last million moderately picture retail simply turned unemployed unless workers year
Remember, there are still over 2 million unemployed workers and over 5 million are on part-time jobs. Christmas will be moderately better simply because last year was so bad. But unless this jobs picture improves, it's hard to say that the retail industry has finally turned the corner.
christmas decisions developing foundation jamming people trying
People will be jamming the stores, trying things on, ... and developing their Christmas lists. While many (gift) decisions will not be made, the foundation for many decisions will be made.
came christmas companies customers exciting gave globe granted image lesson mistake payoff products retailers sales sharper taking unusual weaker weeks
These two companies gave a must-have lesson for all retailers, Sharper Image combed the globe for unusual and exciting products that weren't run-off-the-mill ... Retailers made the mistake of taking customers for granted and the payoff came two weeks ago in much weaker Christmas sales because of ho-hum kind of merchandise.
came christmas companies customers exciting gave globe granted image lesson mistake payoff products retailers sales sharper taking unusual weaker weeks
These two companies gave a must-have lesson for all retailers, ... Sharper Image combed the globe for unusual and exciting products that weren't run-off-the-mill ... Retailers made the mistake of taking customers for granted and the payoff came two weeks ago in much weaker Christmas sales because of ho-hum kind of merchandise.
christmas coming difficult gross half impossible likely moment pressure puts retailers second tremendous weak
The first half is going to be a very, very difficult one, and at this moment it's going to be impossible to say how the second half is going to be, ... The second half is likely to be better than the first, but remember, most retailers are coming off a very weak Christmas and that puts tremendous pressure on gross margins.
beginning christmas consumer cost economy everybody exciting extra families far gas gasoline high landing less means month pump soft spending toll worried year
Everybody is worried about a soft landing for the economy and a contraction of consumer spending. And come Christmas it will be far less exciting than a year ago. The high cost at the gas pump is beginning to take its toll and for a lot of families spending an extra $20-to-$25 a month on gasoline means spending that much less on stores.
below decent high large last retail sales
I think by and large retail sales will be decent for most retailers, but not spectacular, ... Most will come in with same-store sales very much below the formidably high same-store sales of last year.
attractive pay question stores terms ultimately
I think ultimately they will do better than they have done in some years, ... There's no question the much more attractive stores will pay off in terms of improvement, but will they be able to come through with big earnings? The jury's still out.
experience few introduced shopping store
Kohl's did a few things that made the shopping experience easier, ... They introduced shopping carts, centralized checkout counters and an easy-to-shop store layout.
few last ranks retail saw top weekend
Last weekend we saw a massacre. There were a few shakeups in the top ranks of some retail names, and that's to be expected.
few last ranks retail saw top weekend
Last weekend we saw a massacre, ... There were a few shakeups in the top ranks of some retail names, and that's to be expected.
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I think Conaway is a good retailing executive, but he made too many mistakes at the very beginning of his tenure at Kmart. It is quite possible that his background and length of experience did not sufficiently qualify him for the immense job he was taking on.
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People are more inclined these days to make themselves rely on one salary instead of waiting for a Wall Street home run, and that is the background of the economic environment.
continuing
Penney is continuing a three- or four-year downfall,