The slump in housebuilding has proved deeper and more protracted than expected and there are worries that it could spill over into other areas of the economy, like consumer spending.

住宅市场的暴跌则比预期的更猛烈，时间也更长，已经有人开始担心这会影响到其他领域，比如消费市场。

youdao

Spending on consumer durable goods like autos dropped precipitously in 1930.

1930年，类似汽车这样的耐用消费品支出急剧下跌。

youdao

As everyone in the West knows to their cost, nothing puts a stop to consumer spending like a falling housing market.

房地产市场萧条，消费基本停滞，对于这一点，西方人人都有切肤之痛。

youdao

No doubt the last couple of months of concern over the U.S. going over the fiscal cliff, thereby potentially triggering a recession, has marketers spooked about committing too much when it looks like consumer spending could follow national finances off the cliff.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

In common with other major retailers, Somerfield, which runs 664 Somerfield stores and 560 Kwik Save sites, has suffered a drop in like-for-like sales as consumer spending slows down.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Baugur still eyes Somerfield bid

The sector, which includes retail chains, hotels, restaurants, and media and entertainment companies among others, is extremely sensitive to conditions like high unemployment and weak consumer spending, but after enduring a bumpy ride for the last few months a rebound may be in the cards.

FORBES