Retail Beat: Merchandising is Key

Personal income in July was $11,015.2, up 0.5% from June. Nominal personal consumption expenditures [PCE] rose 0.8%, while real PCE increased 0.5%. Nominal disposable personal income [DPI] rose 0.7% while real DPI increased 0.3%. The personal savings rate as a percentage of DPI was -0.9% in July.

The Good

- Nordstrom (JWN)

- Abercrombie and Fitch (ANF)

- Bebe, Inc (BEBE)

The Bad

- Gap Stores (GPS)

- Jos. A. Bank (JOSB)

- Pacific Sunwear (PSUN)

- JC Penney (JCP)

The Verdict

Retail slowdown? Maybe. But if you have the right merchandise, consumers will still spend more than they earn.