New growth drivers are more of an issue for Home Depot than Lowe's. Lowe's domestically still has about half the sales of Home Depot. To some extent, Home Depot's growth opportunity is limited in the U.S. where it already has nearly 2,000 stores.

Target's Global Bazaar is competing well with Pier 1 in similar merchandise,

Target's Global Bazaar collection is competing well with Pier 1 in similar merchandise,

I wouldn't say that there is a definite shift in how people are furnishing their homes and that's why Pier 1 is lagging. Pier 1 has made missteps in merchandising, in its store layout and advertising. It really could take a management shakeup to fix things now for Pier 1.

Pier 1 needs to fix the problem with its merchandise. Fewer people are going into their stores because they're not selling anything different,

I was a little surprised that the fourth quarter guidance at the mid-point is a little weaker than people were looking for ... but to some extent that?s nit-picking.