Saturday, December 27, 2008

No Spending


No Spending, originally uploaded by DeHoll.

Our world is changing. Stores that our grandparents knew as children are likely to vanish in the months ahead.

Retailers typically make 70 percent of their profits in the six week period from Thanksgiving through New Years. Profits are not likely to be here this year.

Familiar names are threatened with shrinkage or extinction:

Sears, K-Mart, Dillards', even Macys' could shrink.

KB Toys, Circuit City and Linens and Things and Mervyns are downsizing or disappearing all together.

Many chain restaurants are also feeling the pinch. Red Lobster, TGI Fridays, and others appear understaffed as they try to serve customers who don't face much waiting.

If we don't make things and we don't build things, we don't make money. If we don't make money, we don't spend money. If we don't spend money, we don't buy anything.

Sounds simple enough.

I'm hoping 2009 will be a lot better.