We periodically report on the Federal Reserve's Beige Book report because "A rising tide floats all boats". Frequently, no matter what you do, the macroeconomy will overwhelm your efforts. So, the January 11, 2012 Beige Book report covering the St. Louis area says:
Manufacturing. Firms in the industrial gas, metallic component, automotive parts, primary metal, and clothing manufacturing industries announced plans to increase operations and hire new workers. In contrast, firms in the speaker component, medical equipment, furniture, and dye manufacturing industries announced plans to decrease operations and lay off workers.
- Services. Firms in distribution services, consulting services, and health services announced plans to expand operations and hire new workers. Several general retail contacts in the District reported stronger holiday sales compared with last year. District auto dealers reported strong sales of luxury automobiles and pickup trucks. Firms in distribution services, consulting services, and health services announced plans to expand operations and hire new workers. Several general retail contacts in the District reported stronger holiday sales compared with last year. District auto dealers reported strong sales of luxury automobiles and pickup trucks.
- Real Estate. Home sales continued decline, down 4 percent in St. Louis. Single-family housing permits decreased 21 percent in St. Louis from prior year. Commercial and industrial real estate activity was slow. Home sales continued decline, down 4 percent in St. Louis. Single-family housing permits decreased 21 percent in St. Louis from prior year. Commercial and industrial real estate activity was slow.
- Banking and Finance. Total loans outstanding at a sample of small and mid-sized District banks decreased 0.2 percent in the three-month period from mid-September to mid-December. Real estate lending, which accounts for 73.4 percent of total loans, decreased 0.5 percent. Commercial and industrial loans, accounting for 15.5 percent of total loans, decreased 0.2 percent. Loans to individuals, accounting for 4.7 percent of loans, increased 2.0 percent. Total loans outstanding at a sample of small and mid-sized District banks decreased 0.2 percent in the three-month period from mid-September to mid-December. Real estate lending, which accounts for 73.4 percent of total loans, decreased 0.5 percent. Commercial and industrial loans, accounting for 15.5 percent of total loans, decreased 0.2 percent. Loans to individuals, accounting for 4.7 percent of loans, increased 2.0 percent.
This can provide some guidance for your business when deciding to what customer segments to target your promotional efforts. The more money the segment has, the more likely they are to spend.