Shoppers have already spent a record $5.4 billion online on Black Friday: Adobe Analytics

And china is pleased to make those widgets for us who once made our own using value added American workers.

America was greater when our people made here what we bought. It created and sustained our middle class that is not created or sustained by a low wage part time service sector economy. That at one time were work for teens.

The huge growth in income disparity tells the truth about how great we are. And it is worse than the gilded age.

Not trumps fault though He didnt sell out America in the 90s and then every year since then. And at least he noticed these trade deals had disemboweled American workers and America . Along with both kinds of immigration stagnating wages as costs of living went up.

 

If they stopped going into debt we would crash and hello depression.

When Americans are in poverty with service sector jobs they run up debt just to get by.

The next crash and depression will be a doozy. The bag of tricks is depleted .

But this is how neoliberalism will show itself to be utter insanity and capitalism will be regulated again so greed doesn't implode capitalism again.

 

Yup! How do you explain it? Oh I see it, wait and pray it turns out bad, what a shame!

 

WOW, I believe he suggests that you are lying, that's mean! ¯\_(º¸º)_/¯

 

Sure sounds like you know what you're talking about! ¯\_(º¸º)_/¯

 

You should have never mentioned success! It only makes the left angry, you should just say that you are disabled, and on welfare and must take a mix of pain meds and live in a small apt with your seven cats! Then you be accepted as a cool dude!

 

Me to, I AM SO embarrassed and ashamed of myself ¯\_(º¸º)_/¯

 

You should be ashamed of yourself being successful mister!

 

People are more comfortable adding debt in a great economy.

 

So 2% gain is now “great”? Interesting, I heard it was terrible previously.

Unsustainable debt is unsustainable no matter how great the economy is.

 

Im seeing a similar phenomenon in malls.

When I was younger (80's/90's) Malls at Christmas time were huge.

Now Im surprised at the number of empty store fronts and there are empty department stores.

Brick and mortar stores are getting depressing-particularly music stores/guitar center etc.

 

The internet has been a very disruptive technology.

Im wondering what the next disruption against internet sales will be.

Wish I had a crystal ball.

I've noticed lots of Amazon "lockers" around town recently too. They don't ship to your house-just the locker-but you get your items sooner. They are like a PO box but say amazon on the side.

 

Agreed.

One store that was always like candy to me was Fry's electronics.

Lots of local mom and pop computer shops (remember those) had computers, and some games-but Fry's was serious.

If you needed something specific and now-that's where you went.

They had stuff I wouldnt see in other stores or online for months after.

You would drive past all of the latest video game developers in west LA to get there.

Fry's is slowly dying too. It's like a less commercial circuit city and radioshack.

Im my younger days I could code and made my own websites.

But they won't be around long.

Its a shame that there aren't stores that are in ascendance.

Maybe 3d printing with local pickup or delivery within a day?

I know people who never go to stores ever.

 

I agree.

Which is why I love Trump...didnt think things were possible.

Hey Moonglow-you make a few appearances here, and I suspect you will remember a thing or two.

You aren't as big a dinosaur as you think,,,

 

BB, exactly where did I say that I want it to turn out bad? I'm a realist... I don't get all giddy because initial numbers look good - it looks promising, but the tally isn't in until all is said and done.

One would think you would know my position by now....

 

Great post. I am in the same position. I'd like to support local stores, but then I have to drive there (time + fuel), hope they have the specific thing I want in that particular store (whereas the internet has everything in stock), pay extra, and then use more time + fuel to drive home again. Plus, I stay busy. It might be two or three days before I've got time to waste going to the store. I could have it shipped to me by then ---- cheaper, no time wasted, no fuel wasted, and the exact specific item I wanted.

I do even more shopping on Walmart.com than Amazon now. Even mundane stuff like shampoo and toilet paper. I can't remember the last time I actually stepped foot in a Walmart, but I probably order from them weekly. Spend $35 or more and delivery is free, and most things are delivered in one day. And they carry everything! For things which Walmart doesn't carry themselves, they act as a middleman kind of like Amazon. I bought a Coach handbag as a gift, from Walmart! Walmart!! You'll never see Coach in Walmart, but you can find it on the website.

I used to think at least clothing stores would be exempt from falling prey to the internet ----because you need to try on clothes---- but now most clothing stores offer free shipping and free returns, so it's just as easy to buy something in two or three sizes, try it on in the comfort of your own home, and return the sizes which didn't fit. Easy peasy. No more mall.

What to do with the buildings........that's a legit concern. At least the workers for the most part are being repurposed. Instead of working a check-out lane, that same person might be fulfilling online orders, etc.

Another thing ---- it used to be that it was worth it to go to a specialty store because of the knowledge and advise you could get from the sales people. Few places seem to have educated sales people like that anymore. I don't want to ask about camera A vs camera B and have some mumbling millennial give me a blank stare and start reading the generic basics off the info cards ---- I can do that myself (and I already have, that's why I'm asking about camera A vs camera B, and not camera A vs camera D.)

 

Small businesses can't buy tax breaks so they can't beat Amazon/Target/Walmart ... on price.

 

Small businesses can't afford to buy in the volume that Amazon/Target/Walmart can, and volume buying is one of the best ways to bring down price. It's a sad reality for smaller businesses.

 

That is part of the problem, but Amazon, like FedEx has been allowed to avoid taxes for decades now while driving small retailers out of business. The inventory tax is also far more difficult for small businesses to comply with.
Big Business partnered with Big Government is very anti-competative.

 

As good as it sounds, I wouldn't be hasty to celebrate.
Spending more on BF may just mean that people are so "financially disturbed" that they waif for the big discounts to get things cheaper.

 

I see a lot of negativity, disdain for Trump and in MPO a slight "Hope" that the true numbers will reflect badly for our President.. ​

 

Any more, Amazon is getting to be more of a convenience thing now where at one time it was BOTH that and savings! Now with tax, and them trying to skate out of free shipping "Prime" they are not all about the savings today.. There is a app if I remember right that automatically shows better alternative when you "Cart" your items, sorry cant place the name.. But even without that app, I have been just using the option to "View" other sellers at the bottom of the item description and 9/10 you find they will sell the item direct to you for less and if over $50 bucks, free shipping..

If not for "Prime" and all the programming they offer members on the firestick for the $100 membership a year, I would more then likely drop that at this point!

 

The dislike of Trump, absolutely. He's a twit. But as you've also read in a number of my posts, he has also done several good things, and making the economic environment for businesses a positive is one. I don't 'hope' either way.

You choose to not see reality for what it is, I can't help you with that, but think for a moment how many times initial reports have been adjusted... up and down... to take this report as the end all without that consideration is just kidding yourself.