'Anxious' shoppers keep scaling back and hunting for deals, retailers say

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

As economists continue to seek clarity on how Americans are faring after the federal government shutdown paused data collection, the country’s largest retailers offered a window this week into the consumer mood in the lead-up to the most crucial spending season of the year.

Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s and TJX - the parent company of TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods - all described a cautious consumer, with tariffs, political tensions, still-high interest rates, an uncertain job market and the rising cost of essentials bogging down their outlook on the economy. But they continue to spend as the holiday season approaches - stretching their budget to afford groceries and essentials and willing to splurge if the deal is right and the product is new and on-trend.

Analysts also had a caveat: The future could get murkier after the holidays as more tariff-induced price increases will likely be passed on to consumers.

Consumers are “stable on the necessities but hesitant on big spending,” said Bryan Hayes, an analyst at Zacks Investment Research. “This cautionary theme of spending will certainly linger into early next year and likely midway through.”

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/anxious-shoppers-keep-scaling-back-133844789.html

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. I have honestly been appalled for decades by the

Buy! Buy! Buy!!
demands this time of year. Most people don't need even half the stuff they have. I seem to be the only person I know that actually got rid of stuff over the years. There are people in my senior living facility whose apartments can barely be walked into, and I just don't get it.

[Phoenix61]

2. I soothe my shopping urges at thrift stores but I

only buy what I actually need. Granted need is relative but a black Brahmin purse at 1.99 a pound ! It’s the only dress black purse I own. Christmas gifts are homemade yummies.

[NCDem47]

3. I came on here to say the same thing.

I don't want to be a Grinch, but something is WAAAAAY off when U.S. citizens are taken for granted in order to help retailers "make projections."

And SO much future landfill things stocked a mile high in stores.

No one is obligated to buy anything...I get that. But the marketing pressure is through the roof.

[ret5hd]

4. my long held advice:

DON’T WATCH/LISTEN TO ADS!

it’s been over 3 yrs we don’t even own a tv. we have a laptop we watch some streaming on (over 90% of that is Jeopardy).

national news etc is over the internet. local news is a ‘80s era am/fm radio, local station that also tells us when someones cow or goat got loose (seriously…one time there was a daily reminder to watch for Farmer Bobs black steer) and the local obits.

i’m not preaching that everyone “goes dark”…just kill the ads…hit that mute, turn it off for a few.

within a week all those urges to buy the latest crap just seem to fade awaaaaay. and you will feel less stressed.

honest.