Retail Sales "Unexpectedly Fall In December"

"Unexpected" only because we have been so systematically misled by the government and the financial media about the state of the US economy.

People bought in November in expectations and a believe in the recovery. And buying tailed off quickly in December as they realized it was a hoax: there would be instead of recovery a long cold Kondratieff winter.


Yahoo Finance
Retail sales unexpectedly fall in December
January 14, 2010, 8:34 am EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sales at U.S. retailers unexpectedly fell in December as consumer spent less on vehicles and an array of other goods during the holiday shopping month, data showed on Thursday, raising concerns about the durability of the economy's recovery.

The Commerce Department said total retail sales fell 0.3 percent last month, the first decline in three months, after rising by an upwardly revised 1.8 percent in November. Sales in November were previously reported to have increased 1.3 percent.

Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales gaining 0.5 percent last month...

About Those Strong November US Retail Sales Numbers

Gasoline Purchases.

Early deep discounts on electronics to spur Christmas buying and 'green rebates' on new appliances.

Higher prices. Subsidized purchases. Let's party!

Davidowitz: What Recovery? The US Consumer Is Struggling

Howard Davidowitz is our favorite retail analyst.

Appearance versus Reality is the theme in the Enron Nation.



And Winners of the Retail Apocalypse: Amazon, Walmart, Kohls and Dollar Tree.
Personally I like Costco, Amazon, and Lowes, because even thought they may not have the very lowest price, they provide exceptional value and a little something 'extra.'

David is probably right, because She-Who-Shops says he is, and is a hands-on expert.