http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120670656497671569.html?mod=googlenews_wsjBy Sudeep Reddy, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan and Neal Boudette
Word Count: 1,226 | Companies Featured in This Article: J.C. Penney, General Motors, Ford Motor, Toyota Motor, Macy's, Kohl's Corp., Wal-Mart Stores, Kroger, Nordstrom
Consumer spending on clothing, autos and other goods is buckling under the weight of a weakening job market, a painful housing downturn and climbing prices for food and fuel.
The government said Friday that consumer spending in February grew just 0.1% before inflation compared with the previous month, even though incomes showed decent gains. After inflation, consumption was flat, continuing months of lethargic activity since the holiday shopping season and casting shadows on the economic outlook.
J.C. Penney Co. was the latest retailer to cut its first-quarter profit forecast. The Plano, Texas, retailer said Friday it expects comparable-store sales to ...
FULL story requires registration.