Years ago I did some work with the Ford division of the Ford Motor Company. I distinctly remember division boss Ross Roberts saying [booming] to me, “Whoever said marketing programs were not powerful is nuts. We have brilliantly trained a generation of consumers not to come into the dealership unless we offer $3,000 off.” Likewise, I heard on “Marketplace” this morning that one reason seasonal spending is lower than expected is that consumers won’t shop until stores offer deep discounts—which they increasingly do, long before 12.26.
Something about reaping what ye sow, eh?