Nickname: Bob

Review: My department has 13 people in it. 8 are now bringing their lunch to work instead of going out of the building. Maybe a good investment would be the makers of the mini-fridges. We now have 4 in our office area.

Date reviewed: Aug 24, 2006 9:34 AM

Nickname: supershopper

Review: I've noticed an alarming trend in the housing market here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth market. Home builders are building these huge but very affordable houses that people really go after. Then when they move in, wham! They are hit with unbelieveably high utility bills. People buy the homes because they are big and cheap and can actually afford the payments, but then get electric bills that are 1/2 or 3/4 of their house payments.

Date reviewed: Jul 31, 2006 5:19 PM

Nickname: Ruckus

Review: Lots is going on, not just oil. Dave Ramsey is more popular than before. I've reassessed what I really need for living, and have dramatically cut my spending. It takes a while to adjust for higher oil prices as well. Over time people will buy better mpg cars/suvs, but not until they pay off the one they already have. Maybe, like me, once paid off they have realized how much they can save by just keeping on driving what they bought. Smaller or better insulated homes, maybe change the house to heat only one room, moving closer to work, all that isn't done overnight. So the oil companies can live it up while it lasts, but once people move, buy smaller, etc. and demand for oil goes down, I think they'll be amazed at how dropping prices for oil doesn't kick up demand, just like higher prices hasn't quenched demand much yet. $0.02

Date reviewed: Jul 29, 2006 3:44 AM

Nickname: retail Gal

Review: Wake up corporate retail! Auto industries shut down and cut staff, local school systems in finanacial ruin cut back staff, fixed income earners are making do to get by rather then spending, trickle down effects are everywhere. Retail store payrolls cut to bottom line leave stores messy, without sales assistance and longer check out lines, oil industry product increases are the tip of an iceberg. Don't just let yourselves think it's the high price of gasoline. Take a look inside your store. Merchandise is the same everywhere--same sales, same ads, yada yada, if you do what you have always done you will get what you always have gotten. Only now, customers are wiser and a lot more careful in their spending. Oh--and did I mention outsourcing of jobs that affect the purchasing power in today's market. Let's get real. It's not just the oil and gas.

Date reviewed: Jul 20, 2006 7:17 PM

Nickname: Steve

Review: It's not an economic slowdown, it's online retail becoming more popular with average consumers. More people are buying online than ever before. It's a far better buying experience.

Date reviewed: Jul 19, 2006 7:24 PM

Nickname: Sally in Chicago

Review: It's a wonder it took this long for consumers to cut back. I notice more yuppy shoppers in the Dollar discount stores. Consider a gallon of milk sells for $2.75 at the dollar store and $3.75 at the big grocer. The overblown non-affordable housing market is just now making its mark on the economy. What average working American can afford $340K for a 2-bedroom condo (in Chicago). Not many.

Date reviewed: Jul 19, 2006 4:38 PM

Nickname: Inkfeather

Review: The overall retail market is suffering but when the "tweenies," teens and young adults - those who consider shopping a "social experience" -- exit Target with less than one bag one has to wonder whether the problem is spending or something to spend money on being available. The comments I have been hearing refer to the changes in Target's "target". The kids claim they found nothing to buy.

Date reviewed: Jul 19, 2006 3:31 PM

Nickname: Wes

Review: Target is the canary. Ancedotal evidence points to a massive slowdown underway. I was at Target yesterday; it was dead. Wal-Mart has been very slow recently, as have Home Depot and other consumer staple stores. The restaurants are pretty slow as well.

Date reviewed: Jul 19, 2006 3:31 PM

Nickname: Terry

Review: I happen to live in Dallas where Walmart has just opened one of its new, lifestyle stores that attracts a more upscale customer. It is also across the street from a SuperTarget that I used to faithfully shop. It is unfortunate to say, but even though not previously a Walmart shopper, I now avoid Target and shop Walmart regularly. Target has done nothing to compete with the new format. They are getting beat on selection and price in perishables and housewares and their service is still very bad. The store is old and not well maintained. Hmmmmm, maybe that is the real reason their sales are declining.

Date reviewed: Jul 19, 2006 3:20 PM

Nickname: dottedline943

Review: It appears to me that it isn't so much that US consumers, "are reducing their discretionary spending," as it is that they are having their discretionary income eliminated by higher oil, gasoline, and home heating and cooling costs. It's unfortunate that this sacrifice that we are making during a time when we are fighting terrorists isn't accruing to benefit us as has been the case during past US wars. How ironic that the majority of increased oil profits are all being funneled back to the Middle East, which is where the enemy hides.

Date reviewed: Jul 19, 2006 2:54 PM