Revising summer sales plans

Q: Last week’s dim job numbers and the resulting stock market dive have left me worried about sales for the rest of the season. I know the traditional summer slowdown is upon us, but should I revise my plans downward even more assuming that consumer confidence is flagging? What should I expect for fall?

A: That’s a good question, but before looking ahead first make sure that you are on your inventory plan for today. If you aren’t, you need to take action to meet those goals. Then, look at how your plans are trending. At Blacks, we expect growth in the fall to be about 2/3 of the sales gains we saw this spring. Watch your trends closely and adjust your plans if necessary.