[blam]

" The experts will look at the retail numbers and never have heard the remarks at the checkout. Consumers are pulling back, but many are waiting until the New Year to really put the pinch on things."

I worry that you're correct and the 1Q numbers could be terrible.

It may be a good time to start planning a garden.

[EBH]

Stores are expected to post an 18.8 percent decline in fourth-quarter profits, marking the seventh consecutive period of profit declines, according to Ken Perkins, president of research company RetailMetrics LLC. He expects profits to keep tumbling into the first quarter, with predictions so far of a 10.4 percent drop.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081224/ap_on_bi_ge/last_minute_shopping_6