Talbots Is Likely to Wind Up a Fashion Victim

Even before the terrorist attacks, women's apparel chain Talbots (TLB Quote) was showing signs that its star was dimming.

Once a darling of the apparel world, its shares slipped this year, along with its same-store sales growth. While the entire retail sector faces the same situation -- an economy in the fourth quarter that likely will be the worst in more than a decade -- there are several reasons why Talbots could fare worse than most in the near term. ...