Retail in Big Trouble . . . .

[errolanderson]

http://www.businessinsider.com/stores-closing-macys-kohls-walmart-sears-2016-12

Excessive consumer spending is about to take a back seat to the growing trend in 'minimalism' as debt loads continue to increase (IMO). A staggering risk as consumer spending makes up nearly 70% of the U.S. economy. P.S. The U.S. Fed talking up 3 rate hikes in 2017.

How unrealistic is this economic picture? . . . .

[biglentil]

Are people becoming less intrigued with the latest gimmick or gajjit? Also with the success of kijiji and vragesale are people buying second hand more often? Or is discretionary income dwindling?
My mother once said "the more you own the more the stuff owns you."

[ajl]

Here in Albertastan gas prices are double last year at this time. Hyper inflation while the economy goes down the tube. Local prices are 1.11/L whereas Jan and early Feb last year was 55-60. Standard of living just cratering. Nice work Nutely.

[wmoebis]

http://www.albertagasprices.com/retail_price_chart.aspx

[farmaholic]

Ask yourselves this question...."is there any shame in defaulting on a loan or declaring bankruptcy nowadays?" This "as long as I can have it all now and worry(or not) about paying for it later" mentality and enabled by next to free interest on borrowed money.............

[wmoebis]

Ask yourselves this question...."is there any shame in defaulting on a loan or declaring bankruptcy nowadays?" This "as long as I can have it all now and worry(or not) about paying for it later" mentality and enabled by next to free interest on borrowed money.............

Seems that depends on personal or corp. Corp's get gov't protection.

[agstar77]

This is not new, there have been warnings about this for years. The services sector is growing as the population ages.

[Retired]

AJL Cry me a river and then get over it (please)

[dmlfarmer]

Here in Albertastan gas prices are double last year at this time. Hyper inflation while the economy goes down the tube. Local prices are 1.11/L whereas Jan and early Feb last year was 55-60. Standard of living just cratering. Nice work Nutely.

Wow I had no idea that the Alberta premier had the power to raise WTI prices. At least that must be the case if ajl is blaming her for the doubling of gas prices in Alberta when at the same time the WTI price also doubled. Canadian oil companies (and everyone working in the patch and related industries) must be lining up to thank Notley given she was able to double the WTI!

[stonepicker]

What i find amusing about the alta ndp, is that when they got elected, they had very little knowledge about running anything , so they hired a bunch of ndp bureaucrats from mb. hired a bunch of advisors from ontario. It doesn't seem like they're interested in making alta. strong, only seem interested in in-graining their own philosphy and nothing else. Canada's economic engine is getting a tier 5 engine put in it. Good luck.