Michael Niemira
Michael Niemira
open season
Is it enough to say this season could be more than OK? That's still an open question.
driven holiday largely promotions provide retailers season start strength strong
The strength was largely driven by promotions and did not provide as strong of a start to the holiday season as some retailers would have liked.
clearly concerns consumer dispel economic gas goes growth impact increases performance positive price results says strong surprised
The strong May performance goes a long way to dispel concerns about the impact of gas price increases on consumer spending, ... I am surprised that the positive results were so widespread. It says 'Gee, the economic growth is clearly countering some of these other drags.'
consumers helped holiday late lift
Procrastinating consumers and a late Hanukkah (December 25) helped to lift the holiday season's performance.
april economy employment fear number performance starting strong together
This number together with the strong April employment performance assuages the fear that the economy was starting to decline.
black caused days friday industry longer numbers people robust sales shopping slightly soft wait weaker weekend year
Additionally, there are two more shopping days this year than last, which may have caused soft Black Friday weekend sales as people wait longer to shop. Nevertheless, after Friday's robust performance, these numbers are slightly weaker than industry analysts would have expected.
backdrop beginning holiday lots november remains
There was lots and lots of discounting this holiday season. From the beginning of November onward, it was very promotional and remains a backdrop for the season.
black built deep leading momentum offering reason retailers sales
Part of the reason was that retailers built sales momentum by offering deep discounts leading up to Black Friday,
good inventory november pressure sales takes
If November sales are good and inventory is under control, that takes some of the sales pressure off in December.
although completed decline dip holiday households latest nine percent shopping week
Increasingly, the post-Thanksgiving week dip has become a 'standard' part of the holiday shopping season. Although the latest week's decline was not encouraging, it was not necessarily worrisome as only nine percent of households have completed their holiday shopping.
act anytime gap signs together
I don't see any signs that Gap is going to get its act together anytime soon.
continue despite energy impressive remain sales trends worries
Despite all the worries on the energy front, sales trends continue to be impressive and remain strong.
consumer relatively remained robust spending
Consumer spending has remained relatively robust into 2006.
industry performance
It's a decent-to-moderate performance for the industry as a whole.