Can Retail Sales hold up in December?

Despite a solid start on Black Friday, there are concerns if the retail sector can put in a solid December. The recent SpendingPulse survey shows that November sales increased by 0.8%. Some sectors are weak, sales of automobiles and home furnishings are off.

The sales in November did not last through the end of the month, leaving many in limbo about expectations for December in the retail sector. Only time will tell, if the American shopper -- already burdened with record debt -- will put retail sales in the plus column. Any way you shuffle the market deck; this is not the time to be rushing off to purchase retail stocks.

Retail season off to solid start: SpendingPulse
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSN1040366620071212