Americans flock to luxury as mass affluence grows

(Reuters) ^ | March 18th, 2005 | By Martha Graybow

[steveo]

The other night I got extra cheese on the pizza.

[anniegetyourgun]

Yes, but impoverished in spirit we are.....

[Zack Nguyen]

Glutton!!!!

[dennisw]

Courtesy of a mountain of debt not to mention trillions in unfunded gubbermint liabilities

[RightWhale]

What are we going to do with all this excess cash flow? Bigger SUV or marble walls inside the outhouse would be high on the list.

[Bon mots]

There will be intensifying competition because, for obvious reasons, this is a high-margin area -- that's why everyone likes to get in it," said Bill Hummer, chief economist at Wayne Hummer Investments in Chicago.

I always thought that Bill Hummer was married to Hillary B!tch...

[Hank Rearden]

For several years I've had this nagging feeling of dread, and it's getting worse. Economic stormclouds are gathering, and they're looking darker by the day.

Washington D.C., the Republicrat and Demopublican parties and government parasites everywhere are largely responsible for it.

[Bon mots]

I was in Harrod's the other day and saw a watch for $160,000.00

...actually, there was a whole bunch of them.

I fought off the temptation and just bought a can of tea.

[GSlob]

What do you mean -"impoverished in spirit"? Spirituality level 86 proof, and trying to go higher...

[Finalapproach29er]

The godless have put their trust in riches, and made money their master.

-"God will not be mocked forever."
---Thomas Jefferson

[Cicero]

Most of these consumers are probably leftist yuppies who buy $30,000 platinum-encased cell phones from Nokia and then complain about rich conservatives grinding down the poor.

[Mr.Clark]

And the Chinese just keep laughing...and waiting...

[Centurion2000]

Stoli for 59.95 ??

Somewhere, there are a bunch of Russians making comments about fools and parting their money from them.

[KarlInOhio]

But I thought we were having the worst economy since Jesus kicked the butts of the moneychangers?

No mention of $8,000 bicycles.

[LibFreeOrDie]

"...extravagances like $500 suede satchels from Coach Inc."

Hate to tell you, but $500 isn't much over the average of $300+ for leather fashion satchels available in any suburban mall/department store.

"A lot of people are attempting to compete with Coach, but nobody is able to really compete," he said."

Not true. Coach is considered a brand for mostly middle age, middle class professional women. Younger ones go for brands like Kate Spade (sold at places like Neiman-Marcus). Coach is just more visible because, not only does it sell from department stores, but also from its own stores in malls.

Only the middle class thinks these brands are luxury goods. The more affluent look down their noses at the brands mentioned in the article. Not exclusive enough.

And don't get me started about shoe-shoppin'!

[Bob J]

"The godless have put their trust in riches, and made money their master. "

No, they figure if they're going to go to church, they might as well ride in a Hummer.

[Bob J]

Stolichnaya in Russian means "crap vodka".

[M. Espinola]

I fully agree, especally on this sad day.

[M. Espinola]

Your overview concerning Coach is true, although the products are well made.