The assortments weren't there when cold weather snapped back, and shoppers were curious about something other than a bikini to match their mittens.

I continue to believe that the effects of higher gas prices on the consumer are overestimated. Most of the important measures of discretionary spending such as furniture, lawn and garden and food sales held up nicely.

Mass merchandising and discount retailing is moving in a big way toward private labels and exclusive designer brands, ... That Wal-Mart is rumored to be contemplating something like this is logical, given the trend in the industry.

All that a week ago was neatly put out there. Today Mother Nature took all of it.

This is about putting your career on the line. They need to go in there and do something really dramatic to retool the business.

Management is concerned about return on invested capital and return on shareholder equity and that's the focus. Everything else takes a backseat to that.