This title is ILLOGICAL; it makes no sense. Low gas prices should have made it EASIER and ENCOURAGED more sales, but it didn't. THEREFORE THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS AT WORK.
Take for instance the Employer Mandate and increased ObamaCare penalties (can be 2.5% of income in 2016). For those laid off or switched to part time employment, of course they would reduce or eliminate their shopping because of the 2016 Employer Mandate.
Those Self-Employed workers who have to make there estimated quarterly tax payments who could not afford Obamacare now would know they had to pay the higher tax/penalty and therefore reduce or eliminate their shopping as well.
Logic seems to be absent in much of the press these days. And I for one will not buy from their advertisers to say so to them.
Yes, your items, as well as, out of work employees cut spending drastically. And when there companies cut buying pipe, valves, pumps, motors, controllers, cabling, etc, the employees at those business get job cuts.
The folks with sense that are still employed at different industries also cut back significantly on surplus spending.