Seems like since the summer of this year things are getting slower.
Wine and spirits sales have been slow since about July. Not good this time of year
My November sales are up 22% y/y
What do you sell? If I may.
Cycle is normal…
Fourth turning.
We’re starting to trend up pretty good. First part of year was just very even. But now going up.
I’m super busy people keep setting up new appointments with me. I’m in a service business so may be different than brick and mortar stores.
Thirding this. My business relies on people choosing to travel away from home. My Thanksgiving was overbooked. Christmas week is 90% booked. I’m also at about 30% booked for January which is usually a slower month.
Credit debt is at an all time high.
People laid off from corporate positions are having difficulty finding work.
People are starting to realize their lifestyles are unsustainable, especially when income is lost.
As well as more and more realize how human industry leaves the ecosystem in the gutter.
That has absolutely nothing to do with the current state of the economy.
Nobody is thinking about carbon dioxide output when they are deciding between a Big Mac or eating a burger at home.
Maybe .01% of the population.
Don’t know about you but even on the payment plans and very affordable schooling/program… restarting student loan payments has absolutely drained my “disposable income.”
Naturally, I will not be able to go out and buy anything frivolous from and company for… the foreseeable future? Minimum 5-10 years lol. Consolidating all my money to the big grocery stores, student debt, and rent…. Rent.
Yeah make that 25-30 years if I ever want a house…
Why is corporate undergoing major layoffs? I have friends who have worked in director/executive positions for 20+ years and so many have suddenly been let go this year
Interest rates were quadrupled to 8+% after being NEGATIVE (relative to inflation) for 12 years going back to the beginning of Obama’s term.
You can thank the Fed.
You can thank inflation. You can thank a decade of near free money. Raising interest rates is the Feds only tool to curb inflation.
You can thank inflation.
Which the fed is significantly responsible for via over a decade of quantitative easing.
Raising interest rates is the Feds only tool to curb inflation.
This is 100% incorrect.
I check in informally with a half dozen small downtown businesses most days of the week, and sales are down in retail by about 20% since July.
That’s normal in a lot of retail when comparing summer and winter. In restaurants I’ve helped with, it’s often around 40% seasonal decline. What’s the change year over year? That’s the more helpful number.
It will of course depend on where you are, what you are selling/servicing, who your customer are, and your own business acumen to a great extent. My business has been really good this year, except for some uncertainty about the wars.
Whats the context? Unless you just want to complain, it dowant help without knowing industry, location…
I live in Colorado and own a retail store, The other businesses I talk to on a near-daily basis are a stained glass store, two local shoe stores, four outdoor clothing stores, and a thrift shop.
I’m in the trucking industry and this whole year has been. Terrible. I also run an eBay store selling clothes all year was pretty decent until October then everything just died.
October for me too. Not in eBay but ecommerce
I’m losing long time customers. They are either going out of business or just can’t afford my services (which i believe to be under market rate)
My business is a seasonal service business so this is a normal thing. Won’t know if business is really slow until Spring. The year as a whole has been good.
I’m definitely seasonal, this is our normal slow time (historically), but we were busy all through the pandemic years.
Service is steady, foot traffic is down (normal), big retail items are slow.
The most recent indicator I have is that my suppliers are calling me more often asking if I need anything.
I wouldn’t say the tone is “pushy”, but they do feel a bit nervous and “needy”.
things are definitely slower in my business. People have less discretionary spending. I will be Ok because I have been in business almost 30 years and my buildings are paid for, but its definitely slower.
Its not seems like, presumably you have metrics you can compare to previous years. Your revenue is either down or its not.
I’m involved in 5 businesses
Biz 1 - +100% Biz 2 - +20% Biz 3 - +30% Biz 4 - +50% Biz 5 - Flat