Fully 49 percent of these respondents said the industry would recover ahead of the broader U.S. economy, while 51 percent said it will happen in conjunction with or just after the economy’s recovery. Eighty-four percent said they expect to see an improving jobs picture in the sector next year. Fifty-two percent believe the job market will be stable, and 43 percent said it will be better than in 2009. Virtually all the respondents said they have cut capital expenditures. Sixty-nine percent said their business is poised to take advantage of a recovery.
“Those retailers,” said Larson, “who have taken the opportunity to consolidate and to restructure their operations and risk exposure as well as invest for the future during the past year are preparing for the new American marketplace surely to emerge as the economy rebounds.”
