I've (Real Retail Sales) Fallen And Cannot Get Up

The real up trend in retail sales broke in 2007. For lack of a better description, they have fallen and cannot get up since 1999. This trend, reflective of waning demand, deteriorating credit creation, and currency devaluation, cannot be repaired by stimulus or QE.

S&P Retail Index (Retail) to Gold Ratio:


Headline: Survey Says: Holiday Spending Beats Expectations

It was more like Black Weekend, according to a National Retail Federation survey conducted by BIGresearch. Instead of a one-day shopping spree the Friday after Thanksgiving, 212 million shoppers visited stores and websites on Black Friday weekend, up from 195 million last year. More good news: The average shopper spent $365.34, up from last year's $343.31. Total spending was estimated at $45 billion.

Source: smallbusiness.aol.com