patrick.net

http://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-struggles-with-payroll-taxes-2013-2#ixzz2L6QC8lkE

Wal-Mart shoppers are the barometer of the U.S. consumer, and these emails reflect common sense about customers," Sozzi told us. "The consumer isn't mentally or physically ready to spend on discretionary inventory and there's no reason to be optimistic." "The fundamental health of Wal-Mart's customer is concerning," Sozzi said.  The numbers Wal-Mart reported at earnings reveal a troubling trend. Traffic is nearly flat from a year ago, and Sam's Club executives said that customers aren't shopping as much. The Wal-Mart executives blamed the hike in payroll taxes and a delay in tax returns for why customers aren't shopping, according to...