31.   Japanese companies ordered less machinery in June after two months of increases, as weak consumer demand at home forced companies to scale back spending plans.

32.   Jelmoli said its department store business has been hurt by weak consumer spending and sales.

33.   Japanese stocks slipped, led by retailers, amid concern about weak consumer demand after the government said September prices were flat.

34.   Japanese stocks slipped, led by retailers and electronics makers, amid concern about weak consumer demand after the government said September prices were flat.

35.   Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SA said its second-quarter profit fell as its sales continued to be hurt by weak consumer spending.

36.   Meatpackers such as IBP Inc. and Hormel Foods Inc. reduced slaughter hours last month because high animal prices and weak consumer demand narrowed profit margins.

37.   Not surprisingly, weak consumer confidence translates to weak retail sales.

38.   Overall supermarket sales have fallen for three years running as cheaper imported goods and weak consumer spending drove down prices and profit margins.

39.   Retailers and wholesalers, however, plan a sharp cutback, in what economists said was a sign of weak consumer spending and overbuilding of stores.