Stores expected to report dismal September sales

Ric Francis AP Lorraine Sanchez, right, and Van Ma, second from right, shop at a Wal-Mart Supercenter Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, in Rosemead, Calif. Retailers' monthly sales reports for September, set to be released Wednesday, are expected to show how the financial meltdown has taken a toll on already fragile consumers. (AP Photo/Ric Francis) NEW YORK — The weak retail sales merchants had been expected to post for September will likely prove to have been a disaster as the financial meltdown that began halfway through the month sent shoppers into hiding. The expected dismal reports for a key month — the first full gauge of consumer behavior since the meltdown began — raise even more concerns for the holiday season and could mean even more stores closing amid deteriorating economic conditions. "The retailer is in as much shock as... [read full story]