But the new Commerce Department figures say the economy did cool in July, August and September to the slowest rate of growth in four years. Looking ahead, some people are a little worried. Another shopper says it could be worse. But given some of the factors developing in the economy, some economists are beginning to question whether the first few months of next year could be tougher than first thought. Regardless of holiday shopping, the conference board survey found consumer confidence dropped in November to the lowest level in a year.
Energy prices remain high.
The stock market is volatile with the tech heavy nasdaq almost 50 percent off its high this year. And the Federal Reserve keeps interest rates higher. The dean of SMU's Business School predicts a recession is not ahead, just a slowdown. It has to come down from that peak. Although the North Texas economy charges ahead in sectors such as new home building, growth is expected to slow here, too.