Abbott Labs ... up about 12-13 points. BABA ... up 15 points today. Nike about 20 points.

Went to a Kohl's today ...disarray in closeout aisles. Prices missing on a lot in the men's department. I'm guessing at $69.50 for a pair of jeans, you as a retailer really don't want people to notice.

The quality of clothing troubles me. Seems to me many tops, shirts, pants, are 1/3 as thick as they were 15 years ago, at triple the price. So they wear out fast so you can buy them more often, and pay a bundle for it.

Shoes? Lots of condolidation in that industry over the last 10 years ... now cheaper to make, molded foam soles one piece, vinyl not as thick ...

I think Americans will be taught to live on less, simply because they can't afford it. Such is life.

Manufacturers started getting squeezed in 2008 and the squeeze has gotten harder, year by year. Midline retailers were hit hardest since the midline shopper was disappearing. Places started to source lower grade materials so they didn't have to jack their prices up, thus discouraging the shoppers they had left.

It's been going on a lot longer than you think it has.

because I'm a natural fiber snob. I'm too blind to make my own clothing these days, but I've been able to source 100% cotton jeans and tops. It makes a big difference. It's a little more expensive, but it lasts a lot longer.

Stuff that has plastic in it tends to sag and bag by the third washing.

Made better, more pockets, easier to find 100% cotton. Esp. jeans.

I've been putting pockets into dressy slacks for ages, can't see well enough to do it now. Fuck those idiot designers and their "lines" that would be ruined by a pocket big enough to hold something bigger than half a Kleenex. I think the word finally filtered through, last time I was in a clothing store, the dress slacks had pockets, decent ones. Now women who wear skirts and dresses need to get through to those asshats.

I've had to look toward India for woven, 100% cotton tops. I have some that are 10 years old and going strong.