Financial Strain on American Households Hits Retailers Hard

American consumers are rapidly running out of firepower, and now, so too are the retailers that depend on them.

Cars are parked at a Home Depot in Philadelphia in a file photo. Matt Rourke/AP Photo

Commentary

If anyone still believes that the U.S. economy is doing just fine, they should take a closer look at what is happening to the retailers that depend upon the faithful American consumer to “shop, shop, shop” to keep the economy afloat.