I’m in the Seattle area. We are supposed to still be “hot”.
This year “traffic” didn’t always come down to “traffic” either. To give one example: The FRy’s parking lot was completely full. The store was packed. People were coming and going in droves.
However, a lot of people were leaving without buying anything and a lot of small items were being sold (I was buying a $5 cable). Most importantly, there was no line at checkout, and several of their cashier stations were not manned. I didn’t count like I did at best buy though.
I do think it is all about what part of the country you’re in. However, it is also true that if people are going to the malls to “people watch” or buying less than last year, it can “look” like things are popping when they aren’t.
Excellent point. We went to a lot of stores but bought very little, less than last year (well, less in almost all areas respects....wife got a lot of clothes since she needed some more for work....but then again she hasn’t hardly bought any clothes in a year anyway unlike most women...lol). But, the clothes were a necessity, not a want or a purchase for somebody else.