Government Cooking Retail Books?

" Latest retail sales numbers suggest a turnaround that people retiring to the stores may be buying law. My next guest says that is not the case that the Obama administration is cooking the books. And we are in fact in a quote retail freefall. Welcome back off frequent guest in retail expert -- bebop. The founder and chief executive of America's research group but -- welcome back good to see you again. Stuart thank you always good to see you thank you right before Christmas you told us that may be 25%. Of retailers would be going now finished now. Let me define -- you may 25% of all retail stalls across the country gone disappearing is that we've signed."

" I believe that Woolsey. A good chance seen at least 45% of all retail locations close sought -- this year may be -- was building next year. But -- the water retailers to where they're barely hanging on and and we look at the fact that over president's weekend. Which which a year ago 48% of consumers who shop -- we -- a year ago. Used a a gift card this year 6% of consumers who -- that we get used to get guard. Ever present state sales were down. Almost 11%. And in some cases the Katrina rebels but just 1%. And and February is such a critical -- with the President's Day. And you look at these numbers biggest retailer were really bad shape 56% consumer jitters but -- or this year. Only sick for sitters from -- more at the operator of seven to protect its roughly give or it felt the dollar was but it West Point 2% are spending more."

" Well -- always biggest combined suggests a really grim outlook for the retired as a new coal authority give you good credit that. I thought that retailing it was supposed to be one of the green shoots that was coming out nicely from this recession that. Maybe there was some bright signs but argues are just saying that the president and the administration kind of cooking the books on the on the real facts of the retail business."

" Sure I I don't see it anywhere around you won't we're talking it over 10000 consumers a week we interviewed more consumers than anybody else. In the -- retail issues there's no way the retail sales could have been up 1% in January. I just look at those numbers got a shake my head in disbelief but we took a February. What we're it was not good and you look at mark so far. What are RJR markets had -- been up if but it or retail disaster Easter was down. It's been dealt so far what was what with traffic -- store freeze dried up almost 19%. Are quiet to -- Easter dresses senators say overrunning 1921%. Behind last year's numbers. I mean they're just nothing good out of Stewart when you look at the fact the market's gone up a little bit. But the Hyatt consumer -- just struggling so much because they'll look at the overall stock -- portfolio and say. Will they still were down 35% nobleman may not be Dallas -- when you're forty -- 50% down but still Robert Alton. You know Brit I've known you for many many years you've been following -- or at least a quarter century that I know law of have you ever seen any -- come -- drop off in sales likeness have a in my thirty years -- but I think consumers there's nothing that I've ever seen exactly like this now. You know after September 11 happened. And it in New York City we saw -- drop off for the new report that area like this for about 45 days. But nothing nationwide -- Stewart the other issue itself there is this is -- if you look at our numbers for February. The only retail category -- 48 to have increased shopping -- Will membership world's clubs and a year ago February -- 3% to consumers bought supper get a discount store -- worked harder gave more. This year will be eighty not protect consumer bustle like there. Solving even the discount store for doubt about four point two overall traffic in the month of February well it would never doubted traffic there's no way that the overall numbers were to better. Prevent a very interesting stuff and we thank you very much for straightening out a retail picture Brett back to laughter thank you so much."