Mr Niemira's index of 85 retailers in America found that 52% suffered falling same-store sales in December.

ECONOMIST: When you can’t sell the goods, sell the shop | The

Michael Niemira, chief economist of the International Council of Shopping Centers, sees a ho-hum spring selling season and expects sales growth in the 2013 spring season to be weaker than in 2012.

FORBES: Uh-Oh, Even Wal-Mart Faces The Cash Strapped Consumer

Mike Niemira, an economist at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, thinks that another cut in American interest rates, plus tax rebates, lower energy costs and less travel, may help to give consumers extra money to spend over Christmas.

ECONOMIST: American retailers