"Holiday sales down in Mass.; Retailers cite recession and higher state tax" by Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff | January 12, 2010
I've been told they are up, down, up down.
Do you know what in one ear and out the other means, Globe?
Holiday sales at local merchants dropped 2.6 percent compared with the same period in 2008, the third straight year of declines in Massachusetts, according to a survey released yesterday by the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.
Results of the 2009 survey of 3,100 business owners were in line with the association’s projection of a 3 percent drop for November and December sales. That comes on top of a 7 percent plunge during the same months in 2008. Some businesses, including jewelers and home goods shops, saw a small uptick in Christmas sales, but the recession, coupled with an increase in the state’s sales tax, made it another tough year for Massachusetts merchants, according to Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.
Yeah, you never listen to us, do you? I'm laughing!
“Retailers were more prepared this year with lower inventories and lower expectations,’’ Hurst said. “This year’s decline isn’t as bad as 2008, but that was really the worst holiday season that the retail sector had seen in a long time.’’
Research firm ShopperTrak yesterday reported that sales across the country rose 1.7 percent for the 2009 holiday shopping season while traffic at shopping centers dropped 2.9 percent for the same period.
Does THAT make sense to YOU, readers?
Related: Black Sunday
Going Xmas Shopping: Inside the Mall
Going Xmas Shopping: Last Minute Mayhem
Going Shopping for the Final Time
You try and figure out the double talk, readers.
Winter weather also seemed to take a toll in New England, with BJ’s Wholesale Club blaming a severe snowstorm before Christmas for taking away sales.
Oh, with global warming everywhere I can't believe that!
Especially when I'm told the exact opposite.
Hurst and other local merchants suggested Massachusetts fared worse than other states because of the sales tax increase. State lawmakers hiked the sales tax in August to 6.25 percent from 5 percent....
It's called a BACKFIRE an they NEVER LEARN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Besides, SALES WERE UP (then why wasn't the tax take?)!
"Retail helps drive gains in N.E. economy" by Robert Gavin, Globe Staff | January 14, 2010
The New England economy showed further signs of a rebound over the past few months as retailers, consultants, and even some commercial real estate firms reported increased sales and activity, according to a survey of businesses by the Federal Reserve.
Do you smell something, readers?
Like a stinking lie?
The survey, known as the Beige Book, found that many New England firms had hired new workers, and some were planning to boost pay this year.....
PFFFFFFT!
Nothing like a SELF-SERVING SURVEY, huh?
In New England, retailers reported that holiday sales were better than expected, and consumers seemed more willing to spend.
Really, where are they picking that s*** out of?
Manufacturers said demand had picked up in the last few months of 2009, but sales remain at depressed levels. Most have stopped laying off workers, the Beige Book said.
Related: Blue-collar workers bear brunt of economic decline
I'm sick of the double-talk and lies.
Advertising, consulting, and a variety of other professions reported increased demand, with some estimating that business has increased as much as 25 percent from a year ago. Commercial real estate, overall, continues to struggle, although some firms reported a pickup in leasing activity, albeit it at “rock bottom rents.’’ Home sales, meanwhile, were strong in November, boosted by a federal home buyer tax credit, and seem poised to continue to increase in coming months, according to the survey. But inventories are shrinking, and sellers remain reluctant to come into the market, which could constrain sales, according to the survey.
Somebody say something?
"Dec. drop in sales was not expected" by Ylan Q. Mui, Washington Post | January 15, 2010
I don't know, reader; you are UP, you are DOWN, up, down, UP, DOWN!!!
WASHINGTON - The Commerce Department delivered the final verdict on holiday spending yesterday, releasing data that show sales dropped unexpectedly in December, despite improving from the year before.
Yeah, I really trust those lying, agenda-pushing revisionists of government, right.
Total retail sales fell 0.3 percent from November to December, with a large decline in sales of consumer electronics. Excluding autos, gas, and restaurants, sales fell 0.5 percent, according to the National Retail Federation. “Certainly, the consumer is weaker than expected,’’ said Ned Douthat, vice president of Ockham Research. He called the results “a pretty big disappointment.’’
Yup, and it is YOUR FAULT, out-of-work and foreclosed-upon consumer.
December is a critical month for retailers, the culmination of Christmas shopping and traditionally the biggest sales month. Analysts had been hoping for a positive report after encouraging signs from three dozen big retail chains. They showed sales at established stores up 2.8 percent from a year before. Industry analysts also noted that part of the monthly sales decline was a numbers game: The Commerce Department also revised November’s sales figures significantly upward, to a 1.8 percent increase. The higher November results made December look weaker in comparison....
Yeah, whatever.
There were bright spots....
Yeah, don't step in them.
