Dim retail sales hurt economy but offer bargains

No spin to refute here.

A second straight month of declining retail spending will likely keep unemployment high and help weaken the recovery.

Trend line breaks mark deceleration in "real" retail sales. This is important to economy in which consumption accounts for more than 70% of national income. Either the economy is accelerating or decelerating. Deceleration with extremely high debt burdens will be met with further stimulus.

Real or CPI-Adjusted Retail Sales (RRS) and YOY Change:


Gold-Adjusted Retail Sales (RSGLDR) and YOY Change:


Weakness in retail sales is confirmed by the ISM data.

ISM Prices Paid Index (PP) to National Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) Ratio:


Source: finance.yahoo.com