Soft retail sales may signal recession
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U.S. retail sales fell unexpectedly in December to close out the weakest year at the cash register since 2002, data showed on Tuesday, the strongest signal yet that the economy may be sliding into recession under the weight of a housing and credit crisis.
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Itâsa good time to sell champagne and a bad time to sell soda pop. Luxury retailers had strong sales in October while discounters like Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
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NEW YORK -- With a weak back-to-school season behind them, the nation's retailers are focused on the holidays and what steps they need to take to get consumers excited about shopping again. That could mean some quick merchandise changes and more aggressive discounting than they originally planned.
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WASHINGTON -- Retail sales posted a modest gain in August, helped by the biggest jump in auto sales in more than a year. But there are concerns that spending could falter as the steep slump in housing and financial market turbulence weigh on consumer confidence.
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Don't be shocked, but: New home sales were soft last year.
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Retail sales fell unexpectedly in  December to close out the weakest year at the cash register  since 2002, data showed on Tuesday, the strongest signal yet  that the economy may be sliding into recession under the weight  of a housing and credit crisis.
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This season&#39;s dismal holiday-sales numbers may be hiding strong results from online operations, home improvement, consumer electronics and luxury stores that can offset the nation&#39;s mall malaise.
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The impact of rising interest rates and bad weather on stores will be seen as Marks & Spencer outlines recent trade.
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Investors may frown as a sluggish holiday season has retailers slashing prices.
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Business & money: Official data reveals a worse-than-expected fall in retail sales last month
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Against a background of lackluster retail sales in June and July, analysts and merchants still predict a decent, possibly strong, fall selling season for clothes, accessories and home furnishings.
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Two pillars of the economy &#151; consumer confidence and the housing market &#151; sent off warning signs on Tuesday that could mean lower spending during the critical fall shopping season, particularly if the labor market weakens.
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The jump in retail sales is likely to reinforce the Federal Reserveâs view that the cooling housing market has not hurt the rest of the economy.
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Figures showing a drop in retail sales spark fears that the recent consumer spending rebound could be coming to an end.
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Investors may want to shop elsewhere for inexpensive retail stocks.
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Last-minute shopping helped U.S.  retailers boost sales in December after a slow start to the  holiday season, but hefty discounting caused some companies to  warn profits may be squeezed,
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Business & money: Leading stores forecast shortfall in year's profits after shoppers cut back on festive spending