Falling gasoline prices helped ease American shoppers' worries in September

[mandy]

Falling gasoline prices helped ease American shoppers' worries in September, sending a gauge of consumer sentiment higher than analysts expected...

Falling gasoline prices and a steady job market are good news for retailers as they prepare for the critical holiday season. In general, shoppers have remained resilient throughout the year -- even when energy costs were higher -- though some chains like Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) that cater to low-income shoppers have blamed higher prices at the pump for slowing sales.

Franco cautioned, however, that although consumers' concerns have eased "there is little to suggest a significant change in economic activity as we enter the final quarter of 2006."

The National Retail Federation forecast last week an "above average" holiday season. It expects holiday sales will rise a solid 5 percent in the combined November and December period, though less than the 6.1 percent in the year-ago period...

full article: http://ecommercetimes.com/story/6GUnJ75M...oost.xhtml

[thentavius]

So what's the "official" reason for the falling gas prices? Did they discover more oil, magically?

[stardust]

No. 

Whoever started it finally got their private jet and 200' yacht, that's all.  Until the next baron needs something, it'll stay down t least a quarter.

[thentavius]

And that's the truth, too.

[BellisimaJ.]

Historically, gas prices always fall a few months prior to a major election. (Collusion)

Expect them to go up again after Nov 2.

[FiberGuy]

The shieks and other OPEC fucktards have been discussing the option of reducing output to keep prices from falling much more.

asshats