G.A. Wright Sales, Inc. the country’s leading retail sales promotion firm has just released its Retail Trends and Planning Report for July 2011. This report specifically focuses on the second half of 2011.
Founder and CEO Gary Wright says; “Fourth quarter sales this year look good with some exceptions. Retail sales have shown a strong increase over the same period last year. Except for slowing in the second quarter this trend toward sales growth is expected to continue through the end of the year with holiday sales up 4% to 5% from last year.”
The economy has certainly not fully recovered. Housing prices remain low and some economists predict continued decline. Unemployment is persistently high, above 9%, with no relief in sight. Gross Domestic Product is growing slowly, about 1.9% according to government data, but slower than last year. The growth rate should pick up in the last half of this year.
The government continues to stimulate the economy. Interest rates are at historic lows. Money pumped into the economy through the Federal Reserve purchase of government bonds and other financial assets, the program called “Quantitative Easing,” remains in the system. The assets haven’t been sold. The release of 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Reserve is an effort to bring down gas prices and boost consumer spending. Personal tax rates have stayed low and the current administration does not seem inclined to upset the apple cart before elections in 2012.
“Expect a mild recession in 2013. It is likely retail sales will remain on an upward trend for now but efforts to reduce the deficit and deal with inflation will cause the economy to slow by 2013.”
The federal and states governments are mired in debt. Higher taxes, lower spending or inflation are the only solutions to the problem and with each of these comes a different kind of pain. You can bet every effort will be made to delay the pain until after the election. But, the problems must be addressed. Wright says any action the Government takes to reduce the debt will have an impact on consumers and how they shop in retail stores.
About G.A. Wright Sales:
Denver-based G.A. Wright Sales, Inc. is the country’s leading retail sales promotion firm, specializing in attracting crowds of customers and producing big increases in sales volume or selling the inventory and assets of a business quickly, safely and for more than can be obtained by any other means. For more information about G.A. Wright’s services call 303-333-4453 today or email info@gawright.com.
Contact:
Alicia Persich
G.A. Wright Sales, Inc.
303-333-4453
aliciap@gawright.com
www.gawrightsales.com
