More takes on the Holiday Shopping Season

Were they good? Or were they bad?

People can't seem to make up their minds.

According to Forbes:

nvestors heard nothing but dire warnings from speculators during the recent holiday shopping season. As it turns it out, Christmas was not so bad after all.

Analysts weighing in on December retail sales expect gains from most stores, especially high-end and specialty retailers, as consumer confidence held true into year end.

But according to the Associated Press:

An already disappointing holiday shopping season turned out to be even worse than expected for many of the nation's retailers, who Thursday reported tepid sales gains for December.

The downbeat results came from merchants in all retail categories, from Limited Brands Inc. to jewelry chain Zale Corp. But Wal-Mart Stores Inc. posted better-than-expected results for December following a dismal November, but the discounter's overall holiday season was the worst on record, analysts said.

We, of course, have our own take on the matter.