Holiday Sales and Consumer Sentiment
[Guest post by DRJ]
Consumer sales account for 2/3 of GDP so it’s an important indicator for the economy, and Christmas is the most important time of the year for retailers. According to the Purdue Retail Institute, holiday sales account for almost 40% of sales and up to 75% of profit.
November 2009 showed better-than-average sales in some areas — primarily cars and online sales — and we’ll soon known more about December retail sales. If consumer sentiment is any indication, it isn’t encouraging:
“From Rasmussen Reports today, results from two new polls on the economy and on Christmas… the first one:
Nine percent (9%) of adults rate the economy as good or excellent while 55% say it’s in poor shape. That’s one reason just 16% say they’ll be spending more on holiday gifts this season. Sixty-three percent (63%) say they’ll be spending less.
The second one:
While most Americans consider the holiday season joyous, not everyone is feeling the spirit this year.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of Americans are having difficulty getting into the holiday spirit. Still, 50% are not having any problem getting into the spirit.”
It gets worse for liberals because, as discussed at the link, conservatives are twice as happy as liberals.
— DRJ
“43% of Americans are having difficulty getting into the holiday spirit. Still, 50% are not having any problem getting into the spirit.”
And the other 7% were already passed out.
Official Internet Data Office (0a4bf0) — 12/23/2009 @ 10:32 pm*hic*
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 12/23/2009 @ 10:43 pmI’ve asked before, I’ll ask again. When did GNP become GDP? And why aren’t more patriotic Americans still calling it GNP?
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 12/23/2009 @ 10:48 pmGNP switched to GDP in 1991-1992:
DRJ (84a0c3) — 12/23/2009 @ 10:59 pmI’ll still call it GNP for reasons I outlined. 😛
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 12/23/2009 @ 11:08 pmThat’s A-OK with me.
DRJ (84a0c3) — 12/23/2009 @ 11:11 pmWho the hell are the 9% that think the economy is doing “good or excellent”? And what kind of mind altering drugs are they on? Or is 9% the amount of the population that works for the federal government?
Pat (366dd8) — 12/23/2009 @ 11:12 pmI remember a line from The Devil Wears Prada.
“…ever since 0 became the new 2 and 2 became the new 4.” “I’m a size 6.” “Which is the new 14.” (something like that)
Unemployment at 10 percent is the new baseline. So when unemployment floats at 10 percent, we’re doing great.
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 12/23/2009 @ 11:20 pmI’m with the 63% spending less. Thanks Barcky! So a question for the ladies. If your spouse says she really doesn’t need or want anything this Christmas, I’m thinking this is a great year to actually take her at her word and buy nothing. If she gets upset I can always blame Barcky and his dirty socialist politics. Perfect excuse!
Whaddaya think ladies?
(ducks the Jimmy Choos)
daleyrocks (718861) — 12/23/2009 @ 11:20 pmJohn: One of the primary differences between GNP & GDP is that GNP includes the overseas activity of American corporations – economic activity that may, or may not, be repatriated back to the U.S. It was a useful measure after WW-2 when the U.S. was expanding its’ scope throughout the world, a world that had had most of its’ economic engines destroyed by that war and the collapse of colonialism.
AD - RtR/OS! (a9bf4b) — 12/23/2009 @ 11:25 pmGDP is the economic activity of government, business and people within the confines of the country, including funds repatriated back to the U.S., and is the common measure of economic growth world-wide.
Heh, my daughter learned early on to never play that game and that I never play that game. 😛
If you don’t want my honest opinion, don’t ask for it. And if you want something, don’t tell me not to get anything. Because I deal straight on all that stuff. 😉 Makes for much less “politicking.”
Besides, like I told Laura, and she agreed: Women try to read between the lines of what men say when there’s nothing between the lines. Men try to read what women say when everything is between the lines and not actually in the lines.
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 12/23/2009 @ 11:27 pmall i want for Christmas is some more ammo and primers….. even Santa is out of them. %-)
redc1c4 (fb8750) — 12/24/2009 @ 1:35 amI only have 2 toy guns, a .22mag rifle and a pistol that uses .22 long-rifle rounds. And I only have 50 rounds for the rifle and 550 rounds for the pistol.
I need me 2 real weapons, and the rounds that go with them. 😉
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 12/24/2009 @ 1:56 amJohn,
The CIA used modified Ruger Mark I .22 pistols for years. You just have to know your range and where the kill points are, and your guns are effective.
Now if you require longer range, good luck buddy. Obama has driven the price of good long guns up faster than the price for an ounce of gold.
PCD (1d8b6d) — 12/24/2009 @ 6:04 amredc1c4,
Where you located at? Drop me a message at my blog and I might be able to find you some.
PCD (1d8b6d) — 12/24/2009 @ 6:05 am8.I remember a line from The Devil Wears Prada.
I agree with the “10% is the new normal” scenario.
But “The Devil Wears Prada”?
KingShamus (fb8597) — 12/24/2009 @ 6:10 amThe 9% who think things are fine are the recipients of Obama cash … The rest have functioning brains.
bill-tb (541ea9) — 12/24/2009 @ 6:35 amObama has driven the price of good long guns up faster than the price for an ounce of gold.
No worries, at least not here in Teh One’s hometown. You could get a rifle at about half of retail on the black market – at least if this year’s massacres on the South Side are any indication. Gotta love that gun control that our Mayor loves sooo much – so much that he thinks the country’s most restrictive laws should be even stricter, in order to make sure that innocent victims will never have the means to protect themselves. Merry Christmas, and don’t forget to duck when you hear the gunshots.
Dmac (a964d5) — 12/24/2009 @ 6:45 amIf this holiday’s sales are worse than expected, next year we’ll have retailer bankruptcies to go along with commercial mortgage defaults. These are trying times.
gp (72be5d) — 12/24/2009 @ 7:07 am[…] of a Mad Conservative: 2010 – It’s gonna be a good year! Patterico’s Pontifications: Holiday Sales and Consumer Sentiment and ObamaCare and 2010: Whither the “bounce” and Holding Out for Health Care Frugal Café Blog […]
‘Tis the Season to Be Miserable: 43% of Americans Having Difficulty Getting into Holiday Spirit… Conservatives Happier Than Liberals « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 12/24/2009 @ 7:13 amJust remember if retail sales fall below expectations that it’s still all Bush’s fault.
Dmac (a964d5) — 12/24/2009 @ 7:43 am“it’s still all Bush’s fault.” No, it took a team effort to get things this bad.
gp (72be5d) — 12/24/2009 @ 7:53 amJohn and Redcic4:
The federal government will sell you an M1 Garand, the greatest battle rifle ever designed, for about $500. Spend $50 on a C&R license and they deliver it to your doorstep.
http://www.odcmp.com
Mine made me feel good about Christmas.
TomHynes (2e563b) — 12/24/2009 @ 8:01 amOr is 9% the amount of the population that works for the federal government?
Comment by Pat
Bingo !
Mike K (2cf494) — 12/24/2009 @ 8:14 am23, Tom, IMHO, I thing the M-14 is better because it has a box magazine that can be “topped off”. Also, when the rifle empties, it doesn’t eject a clip that makes a hugely audible noise that the enemy can hear and know they’ve got some seconds to take you out.
PCD (1d8b6d) — 12/24/2009 @ 8:28 am10% unemployment coupled with 27%+ “under-employed” does not signify a robust economy. The folks doing reasonably well these days are by and large working for the federal government. For the statists, business is booming.
GeneralMalaise (a38f27) — 12/24/2009 @ 8:56 amI didn’t spend as much. I have to save up to bribe my future Death Panel.
Patricia (b05e7f) — 12/24/2009 @ 9:11 amI’ve been ordered to the re-education camp, so my Christmas will be cancelled until I achieve further progress
DaveinPhoenix (f1184b) — 12/24/2009 @ 9:42 amedc1c4:
Eat your heart out. I’m up to 11,000 primers, mostly large pistol. I have 1,500 rounds of .45 ACP loaded for my Model 1911s and about 1,000 rounds of .30 cal for my M1.
There’s a box under the tree that’s just the right size for a Bersa Thunder .45ACP. I need a little back up gun.
arch (24f4f2) — 12/24/2009 @ 10:40 amPCD:
I like my CMP Garand. It has character and the ability to reach out and touch someone 400 meters away.
arch (24f4f2) — 12/24/2009 @ 10:41 amMost M1A’s (the civvie semi-auto version of the M-14) cost around 2-grand now, but they are nice.
Cautionary note:
AD - RtR/OS! (396a30) — 12/24/2009 @ 10:56 amIf you do buy a gun “off the street” from an unknown source, do yourself a favor, and scout the internet for a replacement barrel.
You never know where the shell-casings, or bullets, that have been ejected from that gun are reposing.
better replace the extractor and the firing pin too….since they also leave unique marks. %-)
the only downside to the CMP offer is that, here in the PRC, you still have to sit through the state waiting period after having the gun shipped to a dealer.
if we had any spare funds, i could solve the ammo issue via mail order before the state ban kicks in next February. those idiots in Sacto really piss me off.
redc1c4 (fb8750) — 12/24/2009 @ 11:13 amComment by redc1c4 — 12/24/2009 @ 11:13 am
The new restrictions on the purchase of PISTOL ammunition go into effect in Feb 2011!
AD - RtR/OS! (396a30) — 12/24/2009 @ 11:23 amThere are no restrictions on the purchase of rifle ammo, or any ammo components
(though the DofJ is currently writing the regs, so we’ll see what we see).
When I got my Garand from the DCM (predecessor of the CMP) they were shipped direct to the purchaser via USPS Parcel Post from the Anniston Arsenal in AL.
AD - RtR/OS! (396a30) — 12/24/2009 @ 11:24 amArch, I maybe buying my brother’s .30-06 bolt action mitt schope. With Nosler ballistic tips and the proper powder, I should be able to ruin any ACLU lawyer’s day.
PCD (1d8b6d) — 12/24/2009 @ 12:23 pm[…] Holiday Sales and Consumer Sentiment Share this […]
Holiday Sales and Consumer Sentiment | Liberal Whoppers (d16888) — 12/24/2009 @ 11:58 pm