Upcoming holidays and recent rivals hit hard on retailers

What are some current events in your industry? What is the impact of these events on the industry?

The retail industry is changing daily with an effect on the industry and it's sales. Just the other day, it was noted that in the coming holiday season, there will be fewer employees working than usual due to anticipation for reduced spending this coming year. Retailers are already expressing their concern and slowing their sales expectations and decreasing the inventory and prices to try to boost customer sales. Because of this, the industry as a whole is looking at cutting back on goods and prices. A Wal-Mart spokeswoman says that they expect to do really well this year considering they are an inexpensive retailer. People who look at stores like Gap and New York city shops are afraid to be reminded of the upcoming holidays ("Update: US Christmas Season Seen Less Cheery For Retailers" WSJ). Other than the approaching holidays and that effect on the economy with the harder times now, retail sales generally this past August were flat. Now let's take a look at the recent retail rivals. Sears holds a brand exclusively called Kenmore, and is now readying themselves for it to be sold elsewhere. Sears now finds itself in need of finding an executive for helping marketing and targeting audiences. Sears is now considering searching for new markets for it's Kenmore line of washing machines and appliances. The sales at Sears have been decreasing for a period of years now due to it's rivals like Wal-Mart and Target and Kohls. Sears is now in fear of losing more traffic and customers if Kenmore is sold by other retailers like Costco. Although it may hurt traffic, it may not be terrible considering Costco customers are people buying in bulk and Sears' customers are purchasing individual goods. The upcoming sales for Sears are ambiguous but Sears has been hurting over time with it's competitors. Lately, retailers have been competing for the lowest prices with the recent hard economic times and trying to cater to their audience. These retailers have hired less employees which hurts employment and the retail industry is working harder than ever to market items well and sell their goods. ("A Kenmore Fridge, at Costco?" WSJ).