We had a surreal experience in a couple of furniture stores yesterday afternoon: no shortage of sales staff. If you have seen any of those zombie movies where the appearance of a real human being attracts the attention of the undead, you will understand what I am describing. Upon entering the store, three or four sales associates poked their head above the furniture upon which they were reclining. After discerning that we were, in fact, potential customers, they began ambling towards us, stiffly. Luckily, they required no head trauma to repel them. "We're just poking around," I said, as I do.
There were only two stores with "help wanted" signs: the appliance store and the coffee joint.
The real evidence of a slowdown might be how easy it is to get a tradesperson to the house. There is still no evidence that this is possible. If credit is tighter, it seems still to be available for home improvement.
