Business

Get Ready: Clothing Prices Set to Rise 10% This Spring

NEW YORK (AP) — The era of falling clothing prices is ending.

Clothing prices have dropped for a decade as tame inflation and cheap overseas labor helped hold down costs. Retailers and clothing makers cut frills and experimented with fabric blends to cut prices during the recession.

But as the world economy recovers and demand for goods rises, a surge in labor and raw materials costs is squeezing retailers and manufacturers who have run out of ways to pare costs.

Cotton has more than doubled in price over the past year, hitting all-time highs. The price of other synthetic fabrics has jumped roughly 50 percent as demand for alternatives and blends has risen.

Clothing prices are expected to rise about 10 percent in coming months, with the biggest increases coming in the second half of the year, said Burt Flickinger III president of Strategic Resource Group.

Brooks Brothers’ wrinkle-free men’s dress shirts now cost $88, up from $79.50. Levi Strauss & Co., Wrangler jeans maker VF Corp., J.C. Penney Co., Nike and designer shoe seller Steve Madden also plan increases.

More specifics on price increases are expected when clothing retailers such as J.C. Penney Co. and Abercrombie & Fitch Co. report financial results this month.

“All of our brands, every single brand, will take some price increases,” said Eric Wiseman, chairman and CEO of VF Corp., whose brands include The North Face, Nautica, Wrangler and Lee. Cotton accounts for half the production cost of jeans, which make up about one-third of VF’s sales, he told investors in November.

Higher costs also will affect how clothes are made. Clothing makers are blending more synthetic fabrics like rayon and designing jeans with fewer beads and other embellishments. Shoppers also will have fewer color choices.

Retailers are trying to figure out whether consumer demand that gave them strong holiday sales will last. The fear is higher prices will nip that budding demand. Stores that cater to low- and middle-income shoppers will have the hardest time passing along price increases.

“We have been so used to deflation for years and years,” said David Bassuk, managing director in the retail practice of AlixPartners. “Customers are going to be surprised.”

Janice Mignanelli of Washington Township, N.J., doesn’t want any surprises.

“‘I’m not going to spend any more than $50 for a pair of jeans,” said Mignanelli, a stay-at-home mom shopping at The Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J., last week. “I’ll just have to cut back on the extras.”

Even affluent shoppers, whose spending has rebounded, may bristle.

“It does give me some pause,” said Jimmy Franco, a 47-year-old publicity executive and fan of Brooks Brothers’ shirts. “Instead of buying two, I may just get one and a pair of socks. There‘s a certain amount of money that I’m prepared to spend.”

Cotton prices have jumped to a 150-year-high, rising to $1.90 per pound on Friday, more than double what it was a year ago and just ahead of the $1.89 record hit during the Civil War, according to the International Cotton Advisory Committee.

Cotton prices began soaring in August of 2010 after bad weather cut harvests in major producing countries including China, the U.S., Pakistan and Australia.

Restrictions on exports from India, the world’s second-largest cotton exporter behind China, have also produced cotton shortages. On top of that, worldwide demand for cotton has risen as the global economy improves.

Raw materials account for 25 percent to 50 percent of the cost of producing a garment. Labor ranges from 20 percent to 40 percent, depending on how complicated it is to make, Bassuk said.

On the production side, many Chinese factories that shut down temporarily in the depths of the recession still haven’t returned to capacity. As they ramp up, they’re finding they have to pay workers more because of labor shortages, said John Long, retail strategist at consulting firm Kurt Salmon.

Up until now, retailers have resisted passing along price increases to shoppers by shifting production to lower-cost regions like Vietnam, turning to other materials and absorbing cost increases.

But they’re reaching the limit, according to Kevin Burke, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association.

Mom-and-pop stores are most vulnerable because they have less power to negotiate better prices with suppliers than, say, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. But even the world’s largest retailer is feeling the pressure.

“There’s no doubt there may be some price increases that come up, but we don’t want to ever let that be the first answer … that just because cotton prices are up, that we’re automatically going to pass that on to consumers,” said Mike Duke, Wal-Mart’s CEO and president in a recent interview.

Mary Hutchens, owner of Full of Beans, a 25-year-old children’s clothing store in Chevy Chase, Md., worries that price increases could be a death blow. She said she has to discount heavily to stay in business and isn‘t sure she’ll be able to pass along the costs.

“Everybody has changed their habits since the recession,” she said. “I’m just trying to hold on.”

Comments (81)

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  • MikeinIdaho
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 10:20am

    Just what Obama wanted to happen. The US must, according to Hugo Chavez II, be taken down a notch or two to “even the playing field”. And he will hasten the demise with his new budget, if the Republicans don’t stand up and say NO.

    Report Post » MikeinIdaho  
  • encinom
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 10:20am

    Read, the article, you guys should be jumping up and down as proof of the greatness of Aryn Rand. The article states the depressed prices were a result of little demand. As demand has increased for cotton, supply shrinks and prices go up. It has nothing to do with currency values, but the value of a good in the market.

    Of course Beck was attempt to link this to inflationary forces from the currency market, not the fact that any recovery would lead to increases in ddemand for raw materials.

    Report Post »  
    • Vincent128
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 12:26pm

      Encinom

      I totally agree with your comment. Besides there has been an exceptional bad weather in ALL cotton production area in the world, leading to an record low harvest.

      Basic capitalist market rule : low supply + increasing demand leads to increase in price.

      In this cas, there is no way of avoiding it besides controlling the weather worldwide (a rather tough call)

      Report Post »  
    • portague
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 1:42pm

      the inflation in prices has little to do with usa recovery and more to do with the explosion of growth china is having a country that size is undergoing massive growing pains and having trouble. That large of population coming into money is going to cause inflation not just in there country but in others as they try to expand.

      Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 6:52pm

      @portague

      But that is my point, Beck’s doom and gloom about the currency is not accurate, as their are other, more relevant market forces at play, namely supply and demand. And it does have ot do with US recovery, as industries recovery and spending increases their willbe greater and competing demands for goods.

      Report Post »  
  • Abby Normal
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 10:15am

    Soon everything will be too expensive to buy…stagflation is acomin‘ ya’ll…and when it does, it will be fast, and terrifying. What happens when the food stamp crowd can’t buy squat with those SNAP cards huh? damn, we’re in for a rough ride.

    Report Post »  
  • bkeely
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 9:56am

    Inflation is on it’s way self reliance is your only hedge aginst it.
    ———————-
    Buck
    Http://www.seed catalog.com
    heirloom seeds “How God plants His garden”

    Report Post » TheWatcher  
  • ares338
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 9:26am

    Buy American!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » ares338  
  • LittleBigMouth
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 9:11am

    ANTIEM, try this i’m sure you will find a ton of good quality USA made stuff…We all need to support USA made. The quality is better anyway. Hey, we don’t put lead in our products.

    http://www.buyamerican.com/

    Report Post » LittleBigMouth  
  • PIL
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 9:06am

    Great, now Obama’s gonna do a fashion stimulus.

    Black Chamber of Commerce: Did Obama Lie to Us? Oh yes he did!
    http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/2011/02/black-chamber-of-commerce-accuses-obama.html

    Report Post » PIL  
  • ares338
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 9:00am

    My parents also grew up under the Great Depression and you know what? They didn’t even realize there was a depression. My grand parents made their clothes and grew their own food. They were poor but survived and prospered. I aim to do the same thing.

    Report Post » ares338  
  • Redistributor
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:50am

    They been chomping at the bid to raise prices for a long time now. So what do you do? Spend less. Seriously, make it a point to let them know you are the customer and you dictate if prices should go up in a recession (yes, recession despite that they say we’ve been out of one for awhile now). They‘ll keep using the same o’l story of higher demand is driving up prices…BS

    Report Post »  
  • thorkyl
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:48am

    Stock piles…
    1 year of food for 6 for a family of 4
    1 years worth of clothing, in various sizes for all
    enough ammo and simple rifles for trade

    And my friends call me nuts.
    I just tell them, that when they can‘t afford to eat don’t come to me

    Report Post » thorkyl  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 6:54pm

      You are nuts if you continue to belive the fear and paranoia Beck is selling. He is doing nothing more than making you into a scared little child so that you would support hte few remaining sponsors he has left.

      Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:38pm

      Again the “smart” guy making fun of others, and name calling like a 3rd grade school girl. What happened to you around the 3rd grade that stopped your mental growth? Did your daddy, uncle, older brother, coach, or priest molest you? We are all fiends here, you can tell us, get it off your chest, it will do you good.

      Report Post »  
  • Countrygirl1362
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:44am

    It is not going to stop at clothes, food is going to spring up in cost also. I just hope that most people have listened to the warnings and have or are preparing by doing what they can to stock up on essentials.

    Report Post »  
  • Cog
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:37am

    I just reset my clothing budget to ZERO. That’s right! All of us have more than enough clothing. This year’s style will not change who we are. If you don’t like how you look, change your attitude, change your mind, change your habits. If you have two coats, give one to your neighbor.

    Report Post »  
  • Helldogger
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:36am

    And there’s nothing you can do about it because all the textile mills have been moved to places where there is no OSHA, EPA, & lawyers. And you paper dollar is worthless because there is nothing to back it up. You can’t build a strong dollar on rap videos, hamburger joints, lawsuits & shady real easte deals.

    Report Post » Helldogger  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 9:10am

      my paper dollar is sooooooooo worthless

      that I just traded one for a Macdonalds sausage bicuit.

      at the same price I traded for one ten years ago

      Just because US citizens are no longer required to buy
      their gold from the US government and we can FREELY tarde
      gold amongst oursleves now.

      Doesnt mean the dollar is worthless

      its just a means of exchange

      Thank Gog we no longer price fix gold

      Report Post »  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 9:17am

      thank God not gog

      Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 10:29am

      You make it sound like the lake of safety regulations and environmental regulations is a good thing. Look back on the robber barons, and how many were killed or maimed in the pursuit of the almaighty dollar. The fire in NYC that claim the lives of dozens of young ladies, becuase the owner of the facotry wasn’t required to properly ventilate the factory of have fire sprinklers. What about love canel?

      No the problem is that we don not demand higher standards from others, not that we demand to much from ourselves.

      Report Post »  
  • ELGAD
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:24am

    That last bit bothers me -
    “a 25-year-old children’s clothing store”
    I’m sorry but at 25 years old you are no longer a child and should be wearing grown up clothes.

    :)

    Report Post »  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:33am

      I msure you are kidding.

      But I think that sentence would had read better…

      After 25 years in business Mary Hutchens, owner of Full of Beans, a children’s clothing store in Chevy Chase, Md., worries that price increases could be a death blow.

      Report Post »  
    • CyberPro
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 11:29am

      @Encinomom

      Oh my gosh! – You are SO right, those poor folks at the Triangle Shirtwaste Factory. Sure, I know all about them, I am also amazed that the liberals have not build a monument to rival the Washington Monument to them, because every time the word “Business” is uttered, you reflexively bring them up.

      Look, I am going to be as basic as I can about this so I don’t lose you. Try to pay attention and feel free to ask questions if there is anything you don’t understand, OK?

      A Business exists ONLY to grow the profits of the owners and shareholders, OK? That is the only duty it has, it is the reason for it to exist. If it cannot, or does not do that ONE thing, it fails. It does not exist for people to have somewhere to go during the day. It does not exist as a surrounding for a coffee pot. It is not a social club.

      It has to bring goods to market that people want to buy at a cost that generates a profit. PERIOD.

      It does not matter if the company in question is a large company that has existed for 100s of years, or a new start-up, that basic rule never changes.

      If the company has production facilities in the US, then the cost of labor will likely be higher, if it has production facilities in another country, the costs can be lower, but are somewhat offset by transportation costs. The wages paid to the worker are another cost of business, and are ADDED TO THE COST OF PRODUCTION, as are benefits. There is no free ride here. Tax a company at 50%, and the costs will be passed along to the consumer.

      The poor folks at the Triange Shirtwaste company worked there because it was the best job they could get with their skill set and their desire for better things. What happened there was a tragic accident, but it does not mean that the owners of the company have to be forever subservient to the unions. If the unions don’t want to work in a place, let them walk, others will be right behind them to fill the seats. It is supply and demand, and when you try to change that equation, bad mojo results. You wind up with a government handing billions of taxpayer dollars to a failed business to keep them from going bankrupt, and they go bankrupt 2 months later.

      If a worker in a “sweat shop” in another country works long hours for little pay, it is more than they could make elsewhere, or they would not be there. The worker has the ultimate right not to work for the wage being offered. The company is not evil or insulting for offering the wage they offer, it is again supply and demand. Skilled workers can get more, unskilled get less.

      For you to liken anything that happened in the Triangle Shirtwaste Factory to anything else, you would have to conclude that everyone on the Titanic, rich and poor alike, were taken advantage of by the White Star Lines, as if their intention was to launch the Titanic only to try to hit the iceberg.

      Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:03pm

      @CyberPro

      Your defense of the poor owners of Triange Shirtwaste company is laughable, if it wasn’t so tragic. Triangle failed to provide a safeworking condition for its employees, these short cuts to save pennys cost people their lives. Adam Smith talks of the contract between the worker and owner as if they are equals. They are not and the workers are exploited. The unions through collective baragining and increased politcal pressure have attempt to equalize the parties. The sweat shop worker has little chance to earn a living elsewhere, most come from rural communities. They have little chance to baragain for anything more that the scrapes thrown at them, like the Triangle workers, that doesn’t take into account the slave and prison labor camps of China and other countries. Additoianlly, your model fails to take into account foreign government subsidies and artificially weakened currencies when do the math. The deck is stack against the American worker, simply because the American worker is asking for aliving wage and a safe work environment. And because idiots that make up the rank and file of the Tea-Party have been brainwashed to equate socialism with the unions and vote against their own interests.

      Report Post »  
    • CyberPro
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:50am

      @Encinom

      OK, You did not pay attention to the instructions. I clearly stated the SOLE reason for a business to exist. It is to make goods that people will buy and create a profit for the shareholders and owners. That is all.

      They are not “partners” with the workers, unless that is how they choose to operate their business. It is a choice. And, Yes, I do equate the unions with socialism/communism/Marxism. You said as much yourself, when I have to deal with the “collective”, and not with the worker, that is socialism, call it by any other name that you want, but it does not change the fact.

      If I am a business owner, I take ENORMOUS risk to start up a business. If I am smart, I will try to treat workers fairly and pay them well, but if the workers do not feel that I am doing this, they can find a place where they feel they will receive more equitable treatment. I have a lot invested in a worker, training, experience, etc, but the worker can walk out at any time and take those skills that I helped develop to my competition and use them to help their business. If I have to deal with a “collective”, I lose the connection to the worker, and I feel like I have less invested in them, financially, that might not be true, but the worker becomes, in essence, an employee of the union. The union tells them when they have to show up, how hard they have to work, and what they will be paid for it. So, as an owner, what do I care about the individual worker now for? I don’t even know the person, I know the union guys.

      Tell me this. How many business have you operated? How many were successful?
      I can tell you that I have operated a couple, and the amount of government meddling in the operations is astounding, not to mention the confiscatory tax burden, because according to those who have not done it, all business are an endless supply of money that can be used to fund government foolishness.

      Obama is constatntly spouting off about “creating jobs” but he has no action to back it up, and for this, I am very grateful! The only jobs the government can create are government jobs, and we have more than enough of those, thank you. The government does not exist to create jobs, that is not a function of government. The government SHOULD create an environment that is conducive to commerce, and the private sector should create the jobs.

      Now, about the Triangel Shirtwaste people. Yes, they died tragically. Lots of others have too. You MIGHT have a case if the conditions at the company were abhorent when compared to others of the time, but I don’t think this was the case. The industrial movement was in full swing, and we were learning. To hear your take on it, you would think the owners set the fire on purpose. There is always a tendancy to look back at a historicel event and try to put it into terms of the current day. “They had no sprinkler system” – neither did anyone else, nor was their infrastructure in place to support it, had the sprinklers been in place. Most fires were fought using horse drawn, manually operated pumps, not the current pressurized water systems. Technology marches on, and we have that now. This does not mean people are not still killed doing their jobs. Look at how many people were killed in the World Trade Center, hardly anyone’s idea of “harsh working environment” and they had all the modern fire fighting and escape routes, but sometimes things happen that the best planning cannot overcome.

      The “living wage” argument is specious. It is a supply and demand system, and the local economy will ensure that the average wages are “living wages”. If they are not, the workers cannot afford to buy goods, so the factories cannot sell their wares, so they will reduce prices, if possible, to boost sales. When “collectives” become involved, the chain is broken. Just look at GM if you don’t believe me. New Cars in my lifetime have gone from less than $2000 to well over $20,000. In fact, $20,000 is fairly cheap for one. Just since I have been of driving age, they have gone up over 700%, some of this is new materials, better safety equipment an so on, but not enough to justify this. Unions were draining the profits of the company, and threatning to shut down all production unless their demands were met, leaving the company little choice but to increase prices in an attempt to meet their overhead costs and make profit.

      Report Post »  
  • AuntiEm
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:17am

    I just want to know if anyone makes leather shoes anymore?

    Report Post »  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 10:05am

      I dont know why dont you ask P.E.T.A.

      Report Post »  
    • farm gal
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 4:36pm

      Red Wing shoes, based in Red Wing, MN, still make some of their boots in this country. I believe their high priced boots are still made in Red Wing. IMO the quality is very good.

      Report Post »  
    • farm gal
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 4:41pm

      i think their is in the land of 10,000 lakes with red wings

      Report Post »  
  • KICKILLEGALSOUT
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:13am

    So inflation is kicking China hard right now and making their exports too expensive. Looks like a good reason for me to start searching for local American owned businesses and American made clothing although this is getting tricky too because many foreign businesses are also setting up businesses here so they can put a Made in USA stamp on their goods which isn’t hard since the law is that the product only needs to be 51% American to have a Made in USA stamp. That’s ok, I’ll just have to do some good research to make sure they have no foreign ties and then they have my business for life if they have some good stuff.

    Report Post » KICKILLEGALSOUT  
    • blanco
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:19am

      I would LOVE to support USA, but the unions have made it impossible to find a better deal here!!! Unions create really bad workers too!

      Report Post »  
  • LittleBigMouth
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:59am

    I hope the cost goes through the roof… The crap is made outside the US….Perhaps the cost will cause MADE IN AMERICA to mean something again. Starvation and economic disaster ain’t working. I’m tired of afternoon TV. Especially Oprah & Obama

    Report Post » LittleBigMouth  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 2:54pm

      good ol NAFTA and GATT and WTO….thank you ghw bush and bill clinton..and gw wasn’t worth a crud either…china is america’s manufacturer thanks to our beloved leaders and politicians, under the guise of free trade

      Report Post » riseandshine  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:57am

    .
    Spandex needs to be outlawed or at least a weight limit posted………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • orcainohio
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:56am

    Don’t worry Obama will come up with another czar for clothing safety , fair pricing , clothes stamps for the poor. He will fund it with a new license fee on designer lables.

    Report Post »  
  • TheBeesKnowSoros
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:55am

    Wow, Glenn is such a fear mongerer! Last year he told us that food and clothing prices were going to go up this year significantly. Oh wait, he was right? I wonder how long he will have to wait for an apology from those in the media who mocked him.

    Report Post » TheBeesKnowSoros  
  • parmajohn
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:51am

    Who would of ever thought this would Happen?? Oh yea that Kookie Glen Beck But He had said 30% Wonder what the real number will be I Bet on Becks

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:16am

      Agreed. Glenn mentions most of his predictions are based on a ‘worse case’ scenario, and they are usually close to the count; or even dead on the money for what he figures will come down the line.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • blanco
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:50am

    Is this the year we collapse?

    Report Post »  
    • NickDeringer
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:00am

      There is no inflation.
      There is no inflation.
      There is no inflation.
      There is no inflation.
      There is no inflation.

      Well, except for energy, food, and clothing.

      Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • TurnRight
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 10:41am

      I heard things would get bad in 2011 and it would collapse in January of 2012.
      Thats 11 months to get prepared. Don’t delay!

      Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 3:18pm

      To the progressives the cost of energy, food, housing, and clothing have nothing at all to do with inflation, the cost of labor is the only indicator of inflation. If you cost of labor goes up, the rich democrats are in trouble, so to them that is inflation, and why as long as they can keep a steady stream of illegals coming in, and export as much labor as possible to 3rd world nations, they are as happy as pigs in slop.

      Report Post »  
  • tower7femacamp
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:48am

    spend the money on American made clothes only.

    Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:27am

      Where do you find that?

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • Helldogger
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:32am

      What American made clothing?

      Report Post » Helldogger  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 10:23am

      Spend money on american made clothes, just remember the jingle…“look for the union label”

      Report Post »  
    • Rogue
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 3:51pm

      I do “look for the union label”… and if found, it goes right back on the rack.

      Report Post » Rogue  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 6:49pm

      @Rogue

      Then I hope you enjoy buying clothing made by foreign slave labor.

      Report Post »  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:47am

    I predict a resurgence in Nudism.

    But seriously, we are screwed.

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:14am

      We just will have to tighten up a little bit more then, I have been hitting the thrift stores and sales for goods, cloths, and such items for the last couple of months, and have been trying to get my own neighbours to listen about the storm at hand.

      We will get through the times ahead, so long as we do not give up or give in.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • WestOfThePecos
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 9:17am

      We use to make our cloths in the old days. However, we can’t do it today for less. The price of cloths is dirt cheap. I don’t think a pair of jeans at $15 and stell toe work boots at $30 is all that bad at the discount stores. It all depends if that brand name is importent to you.

      Report Post » WestOfThePecos  
    • sWampy
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 3:11pm

      I’m scared that the price of fuel, electricity, food and mortgage may soon be more that most peoples incomes, leaving them no where to really cut back. What do you do when you are already eating rice and beans, and the price of gas gets to the point where you can’t drive to work?

      Report Post »  
  • blanco
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:45am

    We need to crash to hit the reset button! The sooner the better!

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:47am

      Glenn and several others have called this one correctly once again.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Highland
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:58am

      My parents survived the Great Depression. Now we’ll see how we baby boomers fare.

      Report Post » Highland  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:11am

      I guess I will have to go commando so I can afford to buy food.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:11am

      @Highland

      Understood, my grandparents told stories of those times; hard times, and they still made their way through them. Americans will manage to do the same, so long as we do not give up and expect for the fed‘s to constantly come to our ’rescue’ at the cost of our freedoms.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:23am

      There will be more and more people shopping at Salvation Army, consignment shops, etc. trying to get more “bang” for the buck. We need clothing manufacturers to move back to the US in non-union shops, grow our own cotton, etc. That would put people back to work and help our overall economy. Now that is something the “billionaires” who want to give back could do.

      Report Post »  
    • iwuz@828
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:47am

      I work at JC Penney and I can tell you that after Christmas everything we got in was 20 to 30 % higher . if they r talking another 10 that would be 30 to 40 so Glenn is right on as usual.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:50am

      @Grandmaof5

      This mess with the clothing prices, will give many Americans the opportunity to do what we do best in the world; when changes happen, we get innovative, get motivated, and start making things happen to improve the world about us. So long as we can keep the govenrnment off of our back, we will be able to get ourselves out of this mess.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • felina g
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 10:08am

      Underpants are going to get thinner according to some.

      Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 10:18am

      Thank goodness I am a procrastinator. For years I’ve wanted to get rid of everything taking up space in my closets and storage closets. Hell & high water might get us, but I have enough of everything I’ll ever need to make it through the hard times, except food. But I can fish, hunt, and pick wild veggies our ancestors used. Eat beans & rice and rice and beans if we can get them. Who says we can’t make it?

      Report Post »  
    • rubintheartist
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 12:01pm

      Obama and his Progressives just won’t stop trying to destroy the value of our dollar. We must wake up and put them in the slammer. A political satire movie sums it up. Watch it here; http;//www.marcrubin.com/Hairmerica.ivnu

      Report Post » rubintheartist  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 12:29pm

      I have to say not having extra money most of my life has trained me well.. and my kids.. the only one who will be having MORE money spent on their clothes is my grandson who HAS to wear 100% cotton due to allergies.. I can see with all the people out of work they will be looking to remake things rather than buy.. a good investment is a sewing machine.. the ONLY ones who will be having it hard are those who kept buying just to buy.. and don’t know how to make a good meal on a shoe string.. glad I learned these lessons long ago.. and am passing them on to my kids like my grandmother and mother passed them on to me.. NOW if ONLY I could make jelly as well as my gram we’d be all set..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • sWampy
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 2:52pm

      Prices on everything seem to be soaring. The 2 lbs of 93/7 hamburger I have been buying at walmart for years, was $4.38 when the democrats took over in 2006, was 5.38 when Obama took office, was 8.68 Saturday.

      Report Post »  
    • Deb C
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:14am

      Here’s the thing. We the middle class tend to keep everything ( aka hoarding ). Our family is set. The problem is the newbies just starting out with the American Dream. Guess its up to us oldbies to help them out directly.

      Report Post » Deb C  
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