RE The economy is slower than most currently believe, and is continuing to deteriorate.
notes on recent datapoints from my sector...(ive been alluding to the above deterioration for some time as well and agree with mlsoft, he's right and eloquent)
ok..over the past week ive been networking with my suppliers, contacts, competitors and some clients i can consider friends and confide with.
It's bad.....dramatic slowdown in gift certificates from every one i talked to...dont beleive crap they said on tv about that.
There is much slower amount of inquiries regarding spring ordering, going by calls/mail/email to my firm and all others ive spoken with.
As i'm ordering plants from many wholesalers, im finding FEW things sold out, very odd/scary this late.
Some clients i discussed economy with ,said they are hesitant, and dont know about ordering for coming year (people who are long time clients, consistintly)
Again, this is important..gardening IS a national pastime, while not essential to "life" i find the downturn in this sector a STRONG TELL of the REAL weakness out there.
MH
Market Data 
Markets 
AI
