“Warm weather no doubt explains part of the chill in September sales, but shoppers are also clearly telling us they want to hold the line on spending,” said Frank Badillo, senior economist at TNS Retail Forward, in a statement.
"That was the case for back-to-school spending,” he said. "And shoppers are also cutting their plans for Halloween and the holidays.”
September’s results were pulled down by weaker-than-average results at apparel and accessory stores, department stores, dollar stores and discount department stores. Sales at drugstores and warehouse clubs were above average.
More than one-quarter of shoppers surveyed planned to spend “somewhat less” or “much less” during the holidays than last year. On the bright side, 65% of shoppers said they planned to spend “about the same” as or “somewhat more” than last year.
