100 South Mill Avenue

Yuck…this faux-recession is about as bad as I can recall at the consumer level since Jimmy Carter did his Mr. Rogers impression. Does Obama own a red cardigan?
Economic Indicators: Are More Diners Trading Out?

Restaurants and Institutions, 5/29/2008 1:15:00 PM New data from Chicago-based researcher Mintel suggests that more consumers have moved from spending less on food away from home to curtailing restaurant visits altogether.  [M]ore than half (54%) of consumers who say they regularly dine out are cutting back their dining dollars because of the weak economic climate. Additionally, 70% of those trying to cut back say they simply are dining out less often rather than visiting less-expensive restaurants or reducing spending (such as by skipping appetizers or desserts). “People aren’t trading down for cheaper or lower-quality food; they’re just trading out,” says Mintel Senior Analyst David Morris.”

United Ends US Airways Merger Talks, Focuses on Alliance With Continental

UAL Corp.’s United Airlines is pursuing an alliance with Continental Airlines Inc. after concluding that merging with US Airways Group Inc. wouldn’t yield enough labor savings, people familiar with the talks said.
Soaring gas prices altering E.V. lifestyles
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/117387

Valley credit unions feeling economic pinch

Loan delinquencies are soaring among local credit unions as more consumers are losing control over their finances. Leading the way is Arizona Federal Credit Union, which saw total loan delinquencies of two or more months jump from $16.5 million in first quarter 2007 to $56.5 million in first quarter 2008.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/117388

U.S. Economy: Consumer Spending Gains Slowed in April (Update1)

By Shobhana Chandra

May 30 (Bloomberg) — U.S. personal spending slowed in April after record fuel costs, a slump in home values and a deteriorating job market eroded consumer confidence.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a7ie.CYzdpFg&refer=news