Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Seasonal news update

So, as we make the run up to Christmas, the retail news seems pretty dreary. Here in the PNW the spiraling economy has been compounded by snowstorms that have kept even the would-be spenders at home (because they can’t get out on unplowed streets or park in unplowed lots). Even if you’ve shopped online, when you track your packages you see a steady stream of nothing happening.

Nationwide, stores were offering huge price cuts in hopes this past weekend—usually a solid one even in bad times. Macy’s tried to entice shoppers with 24-hour openings at 13 stores (on the east coast)

Naturally, as you might expect, there are pathologies associated with hard times compounding the holidays. We can expect shoplifting to rise as those who financed their beyond-their-means lifestyles on the hope of next month’s paycheck are reduced to reality. Since they deserve stuff…

It’s not all doom-laden; apparently aesthetic procedures & treatments are on the “necessity” side of some women’s lists; not the “extras”. Of course, the manufacturers & providers are offering price-slashing discounts to keep the flow of patients coming.

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