Lynn Franco Holiday Quotations

Widespread layoffs and rising unemployment do not signal a rebound in confidence anytime soon, ... With the holiday season quickly approaching, there is little positive stimuli on the horizon.

We're a little more positive about the outlook of the holiday shopping season than we were in October.

While the Index remains below its pre-Katrina levels, the shock of the hurricanes and subsequent leap in gas prices has begun wearing off just in time for the holiday season. Despite this latest boost in confidence, holiday spending will be driven by the bargains consumers have come to expect.

The shock of the hurricanes and subsequent leap in gas prices has begun wearing off just in time for the holiday season.

The sluggish economy, declining consumer confidence, widespread layoffs and the tragic events of Sept. 11 appear likely to hold down holiday spending as we head into the final five weeks of the year, ... But retail outlets offering the price-conscious consumer a good buy may fare better than projected.

Despite this latest boost in confidence, holiday spending will be driven by the bargains consumers have come to expect.

This degree of pessimism, in conjunction with the anticipation of much higher home heating bills this winter, may take some cheer out of the upcoming holiday season, ... In order to avoid a blue Christmas, retailers will need to lure shoppers with sales and discounts.

Higher prices are driving more shoppers to the Internet instead of to the mall and changing the way consumers are doing their holiday shopping this year.