Our research indicates that these consumers have their eyes on the same things generations of Americans have demanded: a nice home, one or more cars, modern appliances and conveniences, beautiful clothes, electronics, a good education for the kids, better health care, and more travel and leisure.

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The authors looked at the relationship between monthly sales in five goods categories, from 1992 to 2011, and the unemployment rate: When unemployment rose, sales of clothes and cosmetics tended to rise, while those of furniture, electronics and hobby-related products tended to fall.

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Emulating Amazon, Hsieh has expanded Zappos into clothes, cookware, electronics, bedding and toys.

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At least three supermarkets were looted there on Thursday by more than 100 people, who left with electronics, toys, clothes and food.

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Tesco is already the biggest retailer in the U.K.--with about 30% of the retail market--and one of the largest in the world, selling everything from canned food to clothes to electronics.

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