Replies to post #175411 on Zeev's Turnips Patch-No Politics (ZEEV)

[market_watcher]

One thing that I think retailers will have to contend with is lower margins.

Price competition is definitely one of the dangers to the retailers. I think one of the biggest signs of financial illiteracy in the press is the persistent focus on top-line numbers. I realize that it's easier to do that than to follow the meanderings of a dollar through the income statement, but it really doesn't illuminate much.

[choad]

I heard a little news blip this morning stating black friday retail sells were 7.3b, of which, wmarts share was 1.5.(i assume this was a rounded down # from 1.53) My question is this: Retail sales include all u.s. sales? autos, internet,fuel, etc.Does anyone besides me feel the wmart % of total retail sales as uncomprehendible and in fact almost scary.

[techanalyst1]

Not only the retailers, but the vendors. Memory for digital cameras was heavily discounted this weekend. Walmart even has some (um................ boxes and boxes and boxes) of 128 mb SD Lexar cards for 23.33. I JUST bought a 256 SD lexar card from them a couple weeks ago (thinking memory would be sold out by xmas) for 82.99 (walmart). No other store comes close to 23 bucks for 128mb of SD memory (although a few have sandisk 128 mb cards for 50 after rebates).

I won't be surprised if sandisk and lexar are selling like hotcakes but I also won't be surprised if suddenly one day they warn margins are hurting.

And yeah..... the deals at Ace were great......... along with the 100% free boxes of 100 CD Roms, Jewel cases, CD RW, photo paper, phones, network cards, etc etc etc...

And can't complain about the free gift cards that May was handing out for two days and then the mall had to chime in and another free $20 gift card for every $100 spent there including free gift cards that the stores handed out.

I bought a TON (probably 2-3 times what I usually spend for the entire season), but that doesn't mean I plan on keeping everything........ no harm in my buying an absolute boatload at the super duper sales and waiting to see what stays by xmas morning..... course that just means clearance table is where some of my stuff is headed a month from now. Just about everything is wrapped and it all includes reciepts. I fully expect that my kids will say....... ughhhhhhhh! or..... oh really nice! but you spent THAT? Well............. I since the reciept is here and clearance time is coming.......... I think a third of what I got them will be returned and they'll end up with at least 3 times the clothes I bought them or gift cards. Pretty savvy these teenagers are these days.

Btw.......... stores were absolutely PACKED friday and saturday, but today......... parking lots at walmart and target were nearly deserted. Better put out better sales or by xmas I think the stores will be saying.... boo hoo! We got stuck with lots of stuff when the shoppers decided to only buy the door busters on day one and two.

TA

[Softechie]

Petmart was packed! Everyone picked up a dogs and cats and sometimes two! Every other stores are very similar to normal traffic. Can you believe it?