Retail Sales Dip, First Drop Since April

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=716&e=6&u=/ap/20031015/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/economy

WASHINGTON - America's shoppers took a bit of a breather in September, dropping sales at the nation's retailers by 0.2 percent.

Although the dip in retail sales reported by the Commerce Department on Wednesday was the first since April, it came after consumers, aided by President Bush's third tax cut, went on a buying binge in July and August.

Retail sales went up by a strong 1.4 percent in July and then by 1.2 percent in August, according to revised figures. The increase in August's sales turned out to be two times bigger than the 0.6 percent rise that the government first reported a month ago, and the advance in July also was slightly larger than previously estimated.

Economists were predicting that the brisk performance in retail sales registered in July and August just couldn't be maintained in September; they had forecast a sales dip of 0.1 percent.

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[spinbaby]

1. Rah, rah, shop, shop!

I've heard a lot on the news lately about how Americans are back in the shopping mode. Evidentially not.

[hatrack]

2. Damn, we're not shopping enough!!

The terrorists are winning!

AAAAAIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

[revcarol]

3. Correct headline: "Consumer Spending Dips More Than Expected!!"

Oh, just taking a bit of a breather.....Opinionated jerk editorializing in a supposed "news article."

September is the month that usually has the parents buying the school clothes they couldn't afford in August, and the kids' winter jackets. But, spending DOWN more than expected?

[Ripley]

4. But, but, but...I heard the news say we're turning the corner...

And this holiday season will pull us completely out of the slump and speed up the recovery. I heard that yesterday from some Bushie.

However the reporter did end the story with..."what remains to be seen is the creation of new jobs in this recovery, other than these temporary low-wage retail jobs."

[MUAD_DIB]

6. This holiday shopping season may be abysmal

for the retailers, but it might just remind us that the holidays are about family and friends and not about maxing out your credit cards.

Real love vs buying your love.

[davidinalameda]

8. it's not about buy one's love

damn--I better ask for money instead of presents then

[MUAD_DIB]

9. Ask for small bills.

[mhr]

5. Now That We Have That Out of Our System

Are there anymore tricks left bewteen the Fed and BFEE?

[hatrack]

11. They can always cook and spin data

However, as far as actual monetary policy options, they're about out of ammo.

[jiacinto]

7. I work in retail for a department store

this isn't good news.

[revcarol]

10. Some are belt-tightening.

They see the handwriting on the wall that their jobs will be shipped overseas soon.

[TNOE]

12. Interesting...

I could SWEAR I heard on the news (either Sunday or Monday) night how "up" retail was - the GAP is going to hire more people (of course she added "for the holiday season) and retailers were expecting this Christmas Season to be the best in 2-3 years. Which is it?? Not like I don't know. This is to fool all the dum-dums into believing - hey, nothing's wrong, nothing's going on, war good, jobs good, economy good - so shop dammit!