The Malls Get Decked: Why Retailers Fear a Red Christmas

Blame it on oil prices, blame it on the sagging Nasdaq, blame it on the lack of a worthy follow-up to pashmina -- but the holidays aren't looking too joyful for retailers.

Monday

Why Retailers Fear a Red Christmas

Tuesday

The Winter of Misfit Toys

The Good News at the Gap

Wednesday

Retailers Minding Too Many Stores

Holiday Shopping Bag: Maybe the Web Can Work After All

Merrill Lynch estimates that sales at general merchandise stores open at least a year will rise just 2.8% in November and December, compared with a 5% increase last year, in what would be the worst showing since 1990. And comparable-store sales at specialty retailers will likely rise just 3.5%, compared with a 5.2% gain last year, Merrill predicts. Moreover, those are likely to be low-margin sales, as retailers cut prices and face their own rising costs. True, Merrill's predictions are on the pessimistic end: The National Retail Federation estimates growth as high as 6.5%, but no one is predicting a blowout. ...