by Christina Lee on December 2nd, 2008
Though more shoppers sought out post-Thanksgiving discounts this year, sales figures released so far provide little hope for high profits for the remainder of the holiday season.
Traditionally at brick-and-mortar stores on Black Friday, and more recently at online stores on the following Cyber Monday, consumers have learned to eagerly pursue some of the lowest markdowns they will see over the holiday season. But with this year’s price cuts and overall consumer behavior, experts still wonder if retailers have been able to reap any profits this holiday season.
Consumer spending over the Black Friday weekend – running Thursday through Sunday... Read more »
by Christina Lee on November 19th, 2008
Consumer prices dropped in October by 1.0 percent – the largest decline ever measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and a sure sign to economists that prices are deflating.
Economists also noted as another indicator yesterday’s recorded 2.8 percent decline in wholesale prices – the biggest decline measured since over the past year.
While consumer prices are still 3.7 percent higher than they were in October 2007, experts still fear that overall business in the nation will suffer, as consumers actively seek lower prices in goods and services. As About.com writer Darrell Zahorsky wrote , deflation is “great news... Read more »
by Christina Lee on October 21st, 2008
Wholesale prices dropped for the second month in a row after reaching the highest annual rate in 27 years, according to a U.S. Department of Labor report.
Prices fell by 0.4 percent in September, following a 0.9 percent decrease the previous month. They are still 8.7 percent higher than they were in September 2007, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last week.
The two-month drop in wholesale prices – collectively referred to as the producer price index – follows a 1.2 percent month-to-month increase and a 9.8 percent rise from July 2007, that being the sharpest increase since a... Read more »