Retailers Hope For Strong Start To An Expected Weak Holiday Spending Season

Retailers are hoping for a strong Black Friday, and many have introduced their best sales prices and opened early to drive in shoppers, but with consumers in cutback mode they will likely be disappointed.

Recent polls have suggested that U.S. consumers may cutback holiday spending by 15%-30% this year. So while shoppers may be out in force today, they are looking for deals and will not likely spend until they find them.

Discount retailer Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is expected to have a strong-showing this holiday season, as shoppers trade-down. TJX (NYSE: TJX), which offers discounted name brand products, could also have a strong performance.

Retailers that cater to high-end or aspirational customers could be hard hit as those clients seek better bargains elsewhere. Some of those retailers include Saks (NYSE: SKS), Nordstroms (NYSE: JWN), Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF), Coach (NYSE: COH) and Macys (NYSE: M).

Specialty retailers could also feel the pinch. Some of those retailers include Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM), Chico's FAS Inc. (NYSE: CHS), Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBY) and Pier One (NYSE: PIR).

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