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Y2K: not the retail boom you might expect

Historically, when Americans have been confronted with the prospect of limited groceries or buying conditions, they have reacted with embarrassing--and often crippling--greed, swamping the stores well in advance and emptying the shelves in a self-protective effort to make sure their habits of consumption would remain unchanged. But as the new millennium looms, the majority of U.S. residents are facing January 1st with remarkable equanimity. In a sense, this could be a bit of a bummer for stores hoping to cash in on the hoarding impulse, but on the whole, it seems to signify a healthy sense of security and a refreshing lack of paranoia. Rachel Beck's recent article for the Associated Press takes an in-depth look at the country's year-end non-buying behavior, and also at what people are stocking up on: gas, generators, and baby formula.

Wed, 29 Dec 1999 07:29:40 -0800