71.   Weak consumer spending and increased competition forced suppliers to cut prices of food, automobiles and electronics.

72.   Weak consumer demand since April squeezed sales of most Japanese retailers.

73.   Weak consumer spending growth in France has accelerated the movement overseas.

74.   Weak consumer spending on automobiles, electronics and machinery in Japan has led manufacturers to boost exports to offset the slowdown.

75.   Weak consumer spending and the reluctance of banks to extend credit depressed economic growth.

76.   Weak consumer spending was the main reason behind the expected decline in GDP in the fourth quarter, economists say.

77.   While export-oriented resource companies should outperform the overall market, weak consumer demand will dampen domestically oriented stocks such as merchandisers.

78.   With the increase in cheaper imports and weak consumer demand, Japan is experiencing deflation.

79.   Zeitler, for example, sees little threat from weak consumer spending.

80.   A dependence on public works, continued weak consumer spending and a surge in bankruptcies could be damaging, it said.