Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Retailers putting check on holiday expectations

While retailers are looking to make some money this holiday season, they're not expecting a miracle.
According to a Reuters article posted Wednesday, executives at most major retailers are curbing their optimism in preparation for this year's post-Thanksgiving "Black Friday."
The story reported on a survey conducted by BDO Inc., which interviewed 100 CEOs of major retailers in preparation for this year's holiday shopping season.
Revenues are expected to raise just under 3 percent this year, as opposed to a 3.5 percent increase in 2010, the article stated. Inventory purchases stayed about the same as last year.
Retailers are hoping for a better year than in 2008, when consumers cut back in the face of the recession.
While many retailers are expecting less-than-stellar sales increases, executives from major chains say the holiday picture is a bit rosier than those at small retailers.
The survey didn't address how much the retailers are planning on spending for marketing this year. It remains to be seen how successful this year's shoppers (and stores) will be.


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