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Marketplace Index for Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Feb 14, 2012

Marketplace Index for Tuesday, February 14, 2012

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January retail sales figures are often dragged down by the post-holiday shopping "hangover." Consumers are shopped out after the holidays, and, even though they offer deep discounts, stores often struggle to lure them back. Madison Riley, a retail strategist at Kurt Salmon, says retailers had a surprisingly good January, especially when you consider headwinds such as unemployment and stagnant wages are still factors. And the Daily Pulse is down today on the fear we may set a new record this summer at the pump. The Department of Energy announced the average price of a gallon of gas rose to $3.51 yesterday. It's the first time ever gas prices have been that high before March.

Segments From this episode

Fighting the holiday-shopping hangover

Feb 14, 2012
According to the Census Bureau, retail sales growth in January was about half what was expected.

$5-per-gallon gas?

Feb 14, 2012
It's only February and gas prices are already on the rise. At the current trajectory, summer could bring record highs at the pump.

January retail sales figures are often dragged down by the post-holiday shopping “hangover.” Consumers are shopped out after the holidays, and, even though they offer deep discounts, stores often struggle to lure them back. Madison Riley, a retail strategist at Kurt Salmon, says retailers had a surprisingly good January, especially when you consider headwinds such as unemployment and stagnant wages are still factors. And the Daily Pulse is down today on the fear we may set a new record this summer at the pump. The Department of Energy announced the average price of a gallon of gas rose to $3.51 yesterday. It’s the first time ever gas prices have been that high before March.