"it was clear that shoppers, worried about the housing market and energy prices, were waiting to get the lowest possible prices -- a cautious stance that's expected to continue this year."
"rose to 51.4 in December from 49.5 in November, when activity contracted for the first time in more than three years.Forecasts ranged from 48.4 to 52.5. A reading above 50 signals an expansion. "