Stores across the U.S. fear the financial crisis
has many would-be shoppers staying home -- a worrisome sign for an economy
dependent on consumer spending.
Major U.S. retailers released their latest sales data (Wednesday),
with many saying sales fell or failed to meet expectations in September.
The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, bucked the trend, reporting a more than
two-percent increase in sales.
Still, two-thirds of U.S. economic activity is driven by consumer spending, and
some economists say many stores could be headed for a slow holiday shopping
season (between the end of November and Christmas), a time when many
retailers depend on strong sales to make a profit for the year.
Meanwhile, a new report says that despite the credit crunch more Americans are
buying homes.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says a combination of
foreclosures and affordable interest rates helped push sales of
previously-owned homes seven percent higher in August, to the highest level in
more than a year