By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO, AP Business Writer 19 minutes ago NEW YORK - The lower profits and muted outlooks this week from retailers such as J.C. Penney Co., Macy's Inc. and Nordstrom Inc. are heightening concerns among investors that shoppers' focus on necessities and buying at discounters could linger well into next year.At least one mall-based merchant Tween Brands Inc. expects shoppers' fixation on low prices to remain even when the economy rebounds.
"I don't see how consumer spending turns around anytime before the second half of 2009," said Ken Perkins, president of research company RetailMetrics LLC. "Where are the new sources of funds coming from for the consumer? Clearly, the earnings reports show that we are living in a discretionary versus nondiscretionary world."
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