Redbook and ICSC same store sales data came in positive for the week, but are beginning to show some softness and signs that consumers remain hesitant to spend. Redbook reported year over year gains of 0.8% and month over month sales of -1.5%. The year over year gains were the lowest since October. Weekly sales reported by ICSC were also weak. Year over year sales were up 0.4% while weekly gains came in at just 0.1%. Consumers appear to have stalled a bit heading into the new year and the market appears to have stalled with them.
Mr. Roche is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Discipline Funds.Discipline Funds is a low fee financial advisory firm with a focus on helping people be more disciplined with their finances.
He is also the author of Pragmatic Capitalism: What Every Investor Needs to Understand About Money and Finance, Understanding the Modern Monetary System and Understanding Modern Portfolio Construction.