Skies Darken For Retailing As Spree Fades.

The article discusses sales prospects for retailers in the U.S. Family Dollar Stores and J.C. Penney both reported that sales fell during the last two weeks of July, 2008. Wal-Mart Stores has observed a preference among shoppers for lower-priced goods. According to Charles Grom of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., rising unemployment will have a greater impact on consumer spending than falling gas prices.