Even before September 11, analysts were expecting the worst results in a decade for the retail sector. After the terrorist attacks, traffic to stores dwindled to a trickle. This ghostliness will continue to haunt 2002. But by next autumn―barring any more mayhem―retail sales should pick up, in the view of many analysts, consultants, and retailers. Nationwide, same-store sales in the U. S. could grow by 3% to 5%, says Jay Scansaroli, managing partner for Andersen's retail advisory services, in contrast to what he thinks was a single-digit decline in the past 12 months. "This year will be a brighter year," he says.
展开▼
