Among Friends

[BlueFinch]

Just heard on the local news, that there aren't many jobs for part time holiday workers this year. Shopping is down, for multiple reasons, and they have enough FT staff. Might be a bad holiday for boosting the economy. I know I'm going lighter than ever.  

[THEY CallMe Mr Wilkes]

"It is not surprising to see holiday sales growth returning to pre-pandemic levels. Overall household finances remain in good shape and will continue to support the consumer’s ability to spend.”

National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay

[SaveTheTurtles]

Wow! Well, my local Kohl's store was crammed with people lasst weekend and they don't have enough check out help as always. I am finding the stores in my neck of woods to be busier than usual. I prefer to buy online and avoid the long lines if I can.

[RedTop]

I pretty much stopped "shopping" after my youngest daughter graduated from high school, over 20 years ago.  The only stores I go to are IGA, CVS, and Dollar General.  I wouldn't go to mall if they offered to fill my car with free stuff; I don't need stuff.  

This local area has a large population on state assistance, and our food banks are taxed monthly to meet the requests for assistance.  The majority of students in our schools receive free lunch based on family income.  

However, when I'm out and about, Walmart parking lot is always full.  Lowes parking lot is always full.  Long lines at McDonalds, Chick-FIL-A, Starbucks, KFC, and Taco Bell.  Cracker Barrell, Outback, Chili's, Applebees, and Texas Steakhouse restaurants are full of customers.  It looks like someone has money!

[RetRN]

Household finances are down considerably, therefore I anticipate less spending this holiday season. If the economy recovers things may change in the future.

Credit card debt is a big problem.

[Cakers3]

"Household finances remain in good shape"🙄

Depends upon where you live, age, gender,  race, etc.

I do not remember the poverty level being eliminated.

[Carmie]

I just got home from Costco.  It was crowded.  We had to park a half a mile from the door.

The lines to check out stretched around the stores and we had to wait to maneuver down the aisles.

CVS waa crowded too.  We waited to check out.

Yeaterday, my sister and I went grocery shopping.  It was the same way.

The  malls seem empty, but SAM's club, Costco and grocery stores are overly busy.

I saw people buying Turkey, so they must be buying their Thanksgiving food early.

[Greeneyedlady21]

Stores aren't empty where I live, they're very busy any time I go shopping. Especially Marshalls/Home Goods. 

There's none of the "rampant crime" either that so many posters here constantly talk about.

I don't go to malls, and malls aren't as popular as they used to be and that's been going on since long before the pandemic. Online shopping is easier for most people.

[Tori3569]

Any stores I've gone to here in NYC have been busy, including Target, Gap and Costco.  I have spent so much of my life working in malls, that I probably haven't been in one in 10 years now.  I much prefer freestanding stores and the lifestyle centers that are outdoors.  

[pdlinda]

@hgsuddle   I'm in Phoenix and am a big COSTCO shopper.  IF I CAN GET A PARKING SPOT to actually get into the store, I'm thrilled!!

I've had several occasions when I tried and tried to get parking and had to leave because I had other things to do.  In addition, while waiting for a parking spot, many other drivers are very aggressive and try to swerve around anyone more "courteous" to grab any open spot.

I actually got inside last week and loaded up on as much as I could so I wouldn't have to endure the crowds for at least a few weeks! 

The store was completely JAMMED with customers!!