I have noticed an uptick in issues with slow sales for October. I have some information that may be relevant.
I formerly worked as an analyst for a retailer, plus I have been in retail a long time. Over the last five years or so, retail sales have been trending down year over year in October. Now, you will see reports that show conflicting data. But what they don't tell you is that those sales are being driven by discount retailers and car sales from SUVs. The market that has been struggling the most during this time, small retailers. This includes small box retailers (stores that average 2000 sq feet or less), small companies with less than 1000 employees, etc.
Some of this is driven by Halloween sales dipping, but also people spending less knowing they will get better deals for Black Friday (there has been a huge push from retailers to save promotion budgeting for November/December). People have less discretionary money to spend per paycheck since the Depression era. All this coupled with October being a frivolous month to purchase goods.
Take this as you will, and it is just my theory and based on some research conducted last year and experience in the field.
Hopefully things turn around for everyone struggling recently.
