6 Reasons Why the Dismal Retail Season Was Good for Us

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What may very well happen going into fall is that while many consumers with good jobs and disposable incomes hunkered down a bit and put more money into savings (the US savings rate has increased) as a prudent hedge against recessionary times, once satisfied with the bigger emergency fund in the bank, they may increase spending and give a boost to the economy. News that the recession has ended should help drive consumer confidence, too.
The best thing that people can do to help stimulate the economy is, once they've socked that little bit of extra money away for a rainy day, is to then get out and go shopping.
Much of the US economy centers around consumer spending, so the surest way to move things forward is for those who are able to spend to not hold back and to go out and spend again, now that they've got more of a cushion in the bank. That was actually a good lull, where people realized that building up savings in the immediate term was the most wise course to take. Now, they may very well feel a lot more confident and resume pampering themselves a bit more.
Best areas to invest in are education for children (higher ed more important than ever before) and also, their immediate surroundings, like the home. Turn the home into a luxurious sanctuary to buffer the stress of the financial news, because that's the place where one spends the most time, aside from work, unless of course they work at home.
And do more home-cooking if time permits. It is much more healthy a habit than eating out, and good health helps buffer stress. Buying healthier foods from Whole Foods Market will save money that can be otherwise be used to splurge on great cookware and other kitchen luxuries.
No offense to the restaurant industry, but unless the offerings are healthy, people are better off cutting out so many expensive dinners and splurging on more permanent lasting home kitchens instead.
For better health and overall state-of-mind, turn consumer dollars towards turning the home into a sanctuary of comfy and cozy luxury. It lasts much longer than eating out all the time.

Angie Koutrotsios of IL 3:35PM August 23, 2009

What does Chinese (lunar) New Year have to do with anything? That whole rant was pointless. My Fiance is from India. There they celebrate Diwali for which everyone takes a holiday. He is Catholic but, does anyone in India think to give him Christmas off? No. Why? Because he is in the minority in his country for celebrating it. That doesn't mean he can't celebrate or that it is not meaningful, it just means that it's not officially recognized as an official "holiday" by the state. According to your argument, perhaps Americans should start celebrating Bastille Day instead of Independence Day on the 4th of July. Who cares what holidays are nationalized or internationalized? That doesn't solve anyone's economic crisis!

Jodi of MN 12:32PM January 30, 2009

What? You're nuts. Value does trump price everytime. Go back to bed and get enough sleep before coming on the boards and being such a craba**.

B of MN 7:54PM January 16, 2009

I knew it would be about price points during the 2008 holiday season; therefore, we bought accordingly. Although sales were down over the previous year, they were not less than we expected.
Pamela Katrancha
Owner Garden Gazebo, Inc. and www.gardengazebo.com

Pamela Katrancha of VA 2:05PM January 13, 2009

Buy less, and buy better. Quality is the name of the game now. Value trumps price every time. Sometimes it take a while to learn this lesson.

Independent of AZ 8:20PM January 12, 2009

You are an idiot and obviously love to hear (read) your own voice (words)
Does anyone listen to you ever, have you ever heard of a run on sentence? Make a point and be economical in your use of words. Moron.
Now for the Love: Christmas has been co-opted by the greedy, it always has been a celebration of something spiritual. Give to Caesar what is Caesar's give to God what is God's.
NOW STOP WHINING AND GO EAST IF YOU WANT TO A NATIONAL OBSERVANCE OF YOUR FOREFATHERS.

Lee Ho Forks of NJ 2:46PM January 12, 2009

Great article-and inspiring to finally read something positive. I think what retailers need to get is that the overflowing pile of gifts under the tree/menorah may be a thing of the past, and shouldn't be the only focus of the holiday season (even for stores). Being creative in marketing retail goods during other parts of the year takes the pressure off of "Black Friday," "Cyber Monday," and "Green Monday," etc. Bring back clientelling and customer service (not cutting payroll) and the loyalty of days gone by will return.

Ap M. of IN 11:54AM January 12, 2009

(continued)
By: Jordan C. Fan, Prophet Of Environment.
According to economic data and statistic issued in the U. S. after the Solar New Year, the sale of holiday related goods have fallen almost 10%. Are people still celebrating Christmas nowadays? Or, is it simply an economic situation? Such slow down is Christmas sales have certainly negatively affected Chinese export. The following suggestion should at least partially revive the world economy if it can be used quickly. If not, it should certainly be implemented next year. My suggestion may have averted Great Depresion II.
The motion, activities and survival of our planet, earth, is governed by this most important extraterrestrial objects -- the moon and sun. Both of them affect our well being immensely, the sun obviously has provided the much needed heat, energy, light and radiations but facilitate the growth of living organisms. By the same token, the moon also provide light at night in the dark. It also affect the tidal system which affect shipping and fishery. Recently astronomers have concluded that the non artificial satellite(s) or moon(s) are necessary to deflect solar radiation and maintain the atmosphere of a given planet. In another words, due to electromagnetic and gravitational explanation without the moon our atmosphere will disappear and lives will not be sustainable. .
Chinese New Year has already been a paid holiday for many in Kong Hong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia, and many other nations in South East Asia or even South Asia. Overseas Chinese and other Asians often take their days off or vacation during Chinese New Year. Current Chinese New Year ceremonies and festivities have been exhibited at mostly in Chinatowns across the world. When this holiday become official, there should be New Year activities at other neighborhoods. Therefore, it should make sense to make it official. Just think of all those fun and affection we are all having during this holiday.
In today’s world, there were only holidays for Western Countries but not for the Eastern nations which is unfair for Asians. The United Nation must now discuss using the Chinese New Year as an official international holiday. The world should also use bilateral lunar and solar calendar systems both.
he American U. S. Postal Service had issued postal souvenir miniature sheet which consists of all twelve Chinese Zodiac animals. That was only one of the more than 500 sets of such stamps that were issued issued by almost all nations in the world to commemorate Chinese New Year which is an international trend nowadays. How many stamps have been issued to commemorate the solar New Year? Little or none. Chinese New Year have already simulated Chinese export of New Year related goods to other nations. When it becomes an international holiday will also increase such sales which will eventually replaced the export of Christmas gifts.

Jordan C. Fan, Prophet Of Environment. 8:53PM January 11, 2009

The recent holiday season was a dose of reality. We cannot continue to base our economy on consumption, which is really wealth creation for somebody else (usually foriegn countries). Let's hope we don't go back to the rampant consumerism and pre-recession spending. Let's hope that we make some fundamental changes, as described in the previous posts. Let's hope that those changes will be permanent and will give rise to more saving, less spening on "stuff", and more focus on what is sustainable. We have a chance to start fresh. Retailers need to get in synch with this mindset. We need to think in terms of what is sustainable, not comping last years sales numbers.

Tom of MO 11:37AM January 09, 2009

Yes, growth is good but at the rate of inflation the last few years, prices are out of control and we are a fat economy. So it is okay for us to lose a little weight just to get fat again, but your weight eventually settles where it is most comfortable for long-term sustainability.

Diane Nash-Abrahams of NJ 11:10AM January 09, 2009