If you watched the news in the last 24 hours, you'd think women's clothing sales were the barometer for the economy. All three major networks reported a 6-percent decrease in women's apparel sales this holiday season, calling the figure "ominous," "worrisome" and "a big deal."
The only problem is that the corporation reporting the figures, Mastercard, didn't say it was that big of a deal. In fact Mastercard's SpendingPulse showed a "modest increase" in holiday sales overall, and "extraordinary growth" for eCommerce sales.
But for the MSM, good news is no news, so they zeroed in on one negative to suggest Christmas 2007 is a retail failure. And since Christmas is all about shopping, we might as well declare the whole season over before it started!
On the "CBS Evening News" Dec. 17, Anthony Mason reported "an ominous sign:
The three reporters got their statistic from Mastercard, which released holiday season sales figures Dec. 17 through its SpendingPulse program. The actual news is that most segments of the sales industry are up over 2006 levels. Only women's apparel and "specialty retailers," which were down 1.1 percent, have declined.
Overall, special apparel was up 0.5 percent. Men's apparel was up 4.5 percent. Electronics were up 5.8 percent. Luxury goods were up 10.8 percent. And Mastercard declared "extraordinary growth" for eCommerce sales, up 29.8 percent over the first 20 days of the season.
Mastercard Vice President of Research and Analysis Michael McNamara said the figures weren't surprising. "Black Friday's sales came in so strong that the pace was clearly not sustainable. The sectors have settled into some clear winners as well as some under performers." Hardly the gloom and doom we're seeing on the networks.
And just in case you started thinking higher sales were a good thing, Quintanilla points to the National Retail Federation's prediction of a 4 percent increase over 2006 sales. "That may sound pretty good but it's the slowest level in four years," he said.
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This is hilarious
December 18, 2007 - 13:30 ET by Mr. KafirDoes the drive-by media know what year-over-year figures represent? If last year sales were up 10%, and this year sales were up 4%, that's a year-over-year decline of 6%!!!! That does NOT mean the economy is headed into the tank!!!! Geez, are these people really that stupid?
Subjective Truth
December 18, 2007 - 13:54 ET by dscottYou got it Mr. Kafir, only in the lib world is a 4% gain, a 6% cut. And of course let's not mention any other non relevant facts like people spending more in other areas. Women's clothing is the only basket of products that we should be concerned with. They (MSM) are so desperate to derail the economy for the sake of setting the stage for a Dem POTUS, they will say and do anything to get people to believe we are in recession. In the lib world, what you assert is truth, never mind any contrary facts that might say otherwise, the only relevant facts are those that agree with the line of argument. The libs are the masters of Circular Reasoning. In the lib world truth is subjective, relative to a person's world view, objective truth cannot be found, therefore it is unknowable.
BTW- Some people wonder why libs are so screwy, what I just described is what the mental health community subscribes to, they claim objective truth can never be found, thus all truth is subjective. So if truth is subjective, then whatever I assert is truth. Therefore truth is what we agree it to be (consensus). What is really sad is the legal community has bought this line as well and you wonder why judges make narrow nonsensical decisions?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. dscott's corollary: The line between malice and stupidity is called depraved indifference.
They aren't stupid at all
December 18, 2007 - 16:30 ET by kbworkmanThis is just part of the overall move to scare people into thinking that the world is ending unless we give our leaders all the power they want and give up our rights. If we do that, they will save us.
Sales are down, the world is ending.
The Earth temperature is raising, the world is ending.
Just two that I have seen today.
That is the same technique Hitler used back in the 30's in Germany, where it worked well, and it was not new then.
Ben Franklin had an opinion on that.
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Wait a minute!! I thought
December 18, 2007 - 13:32 ET by motherbeltWait a minute!! I thought increased clothing sales, what they call "sweater sales" were the ominous sign, because that meant people were buying "practical presents"! Doesn't lower clothing sales mean people are spending their money on electronics and games, etc, you know, frivolities and therefore things are good?
Helpful Hint
December 18, 2007 - 13:37 ET by Lame CherryWhile everyone wants a tanked economy on the left, it is not worth talking about shill Mason.
What is though important is durability in clothing. I highly recommend people with some money purchase for themselves and their families 2 under garments of silk, over which they may wear wool in times of trouble and cold. The silk wicks moisture and keeps the itch of the wool off one's skin.
Col. Townsend Whelen in wilderness hunting stated, wool socks and wool under garments are life savers. The best "coat" is simply a wool shirt which fits you and a next size larger which one can take off in travel if they get too hot.
Wool always insulates when wet and nothing mankind has invented can surpass or equal it. Wool wears like iron.
Just go without power for heat and you soon learn in a few days that cotton is horrid in getting wet and not insulating. If you have the bucks, get yourself a nice tunic of deer leather or buffalo to keep out the wind.
A poncho on top and you got yourself a walking heap to keep you alive and warm.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Maybe women are not buying
December 18, 2007 - 13:39 ET by amberMaybe women are not buying clothes because the clothing industrustry put out a sucky product and priced it way too high. Same thing with children's clothes. Boy's clothing has gotten a lot better, but I will not buy low rise jeans and skinny shirts for my 9 year old. And..what is with all of the hooded sweaters? They are uncomfortable to wear. I love Anne Taylor, but for crying out loud how about a little color? I also like Christopher Banks normally, but I am not 80 years old and their product they put out this year sucked.....
The video auto-playing
December 18, 2007 - 13:43 ET by KhyrisThe video auto-playing every time I return to the home page is HIGHLY annoying.
I highly agree, Khyris.
December 18, 2007 - 13:46 ET by KarmaI highly agree, Khyris.
me too
December 18, 2007 - 13:59 ET by amberme too
Must be something in your
December 18, 2007 - 16:44 ET by motherbeltMust be something in your settings...there's nothing auto-playing when I bring up the home page....
Obviously, they haven't
December 18, 2007 - 14:14 ET by jdhawkObviously, they haven't talked to my wife! Year over year, there has been a gazillion increase in women's clothing purchases at my house!!!
Seriously, November was unseasonally warm. For the winter shopping season that is always bad. Meanwhile, December has been decidely colder. In other words, clothing sales should pick up. And, besides, the holiday shopping season is far from over.
Also, because of gift cards and after holiday shopping sales, the holiday "season" really isn't over until mid to late January.
Women around here stopped
December 18, 2007 - 15:07 ET by RackieWomen around here stopped buying clothes years ago. There isn't one woman in a hundred that looks like she didn't get dressed drunk and in the dark.
They all look like they are wearing the proceeds of dumpster diving at GoodWill. No style, no class, no nothing. Young, old, fat, skinny, big ass or no ass, they all dress like a crack heads.
The men are no better. Freakin' fashion morons, all of them. They dress like children. Such a sad excuse for men.
But then again, most of the clothes on the racks now days look like they are made for either tarts or muppets.
There, I feel better now.
Perfect headline for the
December 18, 2007 - 15:14 ET by Gary P JacksonPerfect headline for the story! I laughed so hard it hurts, and yet, it perfectly describes the liberal mindset. Bravo!
Women wearing less clothes
December 18, 2007 - 15:44 ET by SlicksterFinally a global warming benefit I can enjoy.
"Women wearing less
December 18, 2007 - 15:48 ET by bassndude"Women wearing less clothes"? By women I assume you mean female? You do know that, that statement includes, Hillary, Roseann, Rosie and (I shudder to even think this), Helen Thomas.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Silver linings
December 18, 2007 - 21:43 ET by nkviking75When it comes to the economy under a Republican president, especially this time, the MSM's motto is, "Behind every silver lining there's a dark cloud."
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.