Readers Respond: Slow and steady wins the race

The economy has been exhibiting plenty of positive signals lately: the DOW recently broke 22,000; consumer confidence is up at record levels; and housing starts continue to trend up.

With all of these external signifiers of progress, we wondered whether hardware and lumber retailers were actually seeing the growth affecting their top and bottom lines.

Earlier this week, we polled our readers, asking, "consumer confidence index blasted past the 120 mark. Is that rise translating to spending at your stores or on your products?"

The majority of respondents so far (63%) said "moderately. Slow growth is the order of the day."

Another 20% reported larger windfalls ("Absolutely. We are seeing the good times roll.") And 17% said they were not especially impressed with this so-called momentum ("Minimally. Consumers must be spending on something else.")

How have things been going at your store? Take our poll here.