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Retailers Post Worst Month This Decade

But Wal-Mart, other discounters profit from downturn

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 5, 2008 7:46 AM CST

(Newser) – November was the worst month for retail in a decade, reports the Financial Times, as stores from Macy's to Abercrombie & Fitch posted double-digit falls in sales. Mid-market stores like Target posted worse-than-expected numbers, while department stores crashed. But giant Wal-Mart, leading a small number of discounters, managed to avoid the gloom; the largest American retailer beat its own forecast with a 3.4% increase from last year.

American retailers posted their worst sales figures for a decade, but discounters like Wal-Mart did well.
American retailers posted their worst sales figures for a decade, but discounters like Wal-Mart did well.   (©yananine)
American retailers posted their worst sales figures for a decade, but discounters like Wal-Mart did well.
American retailers posted their worst sales figures for a decade, but discounters like Wal-Mart did well.   (Flickr)
Nassau County Police examine the front of the Wal-Mart in Valley Stream, N.Y., after a temporary Wal-Mart worker died after a throng of unruly shoppers broke down the doors and trampled him.
Nassau County Police examine the front of the Wal-Mart in Valley Stream, N.Y., after a temporary Wal-Mart worker died after a throng of unruly shoppers broke down the doors and trampled him.   (AP Photo/Ed Betz)
A long line of customers wait early in the morning at the Wal-Mart in Niles, Ill., Friday, Nov. 28, 2008.
A long line of customers wait early in the morning at the Wal-Mart in Niles, Ill., Friday, Nov. 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
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