Tremble, retailers:
(Via The Big Picture, H/T @EconomPic)
[UPDATE] An appropriately worrying indicator of the state of the US consumer, from the NY Times (via Calculated Risk):
“There are families not eating at the end of the month,” said Stephen Quinn, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Wal-Mart Stores, and “literally lining up at midnight” at Wal-Mart stores waiting to buy food when paychecks or government checks land in their accounts.
Related links:
The end of Kobe beef burgers, or how thrift stole Christmas – FT Alphaville
Outlook for US consumer-facing sectors still poor, S&P says – FT Alphaville
Wal-Mart’s aggressive recession strategy – FT Alphaville
US fashion retailers in crisis – FT Alphaville