In Greater Chicago, hot items.
Climbing unemployment and unseasonably cool weather are being blamed for low sales numbers at the nation's retailers. Worried about keeping their jobs, people aren't rushing out for shorts and swimsuits that suddenly don't seem so crucial.
According to the Goldman Sachs Retail Composite Index, industry sales fell 6.7 percent in June. Luxury stores were hit particularly hard — Neiman Marcus reported a 20.8 percent drop and Nordstrom sales fell 10 percent. But even discount stores weren't spared a hit. Sales at Costco fell 6 percent, Target 6.2 percent and Kohl's 5.6 percent.
One area of the retail sector that is seeing growth — sales of piggy banks and other coin saving gadgets. David Mauer, CEO of EB brands, says his company is having trouble keeping its digital coin counting jar on shelves. The product sold out in the fourth quarter of 2008, and Mauer says he hasn't seen a slow down yet. The company sells different models of the jar, but Mauer says the $10 to $15 models are most popular.
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