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A Nemo blog. Dealing with uncommon cents.

Conspicuous consumption has drifted away as consumers shift their incomes to necessities in these dreary economic times. Overall, U.S. retailers are reporting that January 2009 sales are down 9.5% when compared with the same period the year before.

All the same, it seems that we haven’t completely given up on shopping altogether. Forbes.com is reporting that there are 10 key stores that Americans can’t live without.

Notably, the list includes Urban Outfitters. For the most part, 20-something hipsters will find a way to shop no matter what and Urban has a unique edge by not mimicking every other mall chain store. Each location boasts a product mix that is often tailored towards regional trends. Sales have increased 22.8% over the last year.

On the luxury front, Hermes (where handbags can retail for upwards of $5,000) isn’t for everyone’s budget. Though to Hermes credit, it is known for quality, timeless designs. Many who can afford the price points would rather invest in one quality piece that will last for years instead of a handful of lower-priced, trendier items from brands like Coach (which is doing terribly).

On the electronics front, Amazon.com has held up well. The massive selection, free shipping and low prices have all contributed to its success. Amazon has prospered partly because they were smart in the beginning and built a sense of community with customer reviews and pushed the Site Recommendation Tool (which recommends items based on customer’s past purchases).

Other flourishing retailers include American Apparel (now the largest apparel manufacturer in the U.S.), Walmart and J. Crew (thanks to the free publicity via the Obamas).

The secret to these retailer’s continuing success relies heavily on differentiation, whether it be through service, product offerings, price points or ease of use. Additionally, many (namely Urban, American Apparel and Hermes) continue to offer items that consumers can’t get at every other chain store. Getting consumers to part with their hard earned money right now means offering a unique experience that they can’t get anywhere else.

This set of images from Paris cafés and nightlife is pretty amazing look back at how things were in 1962 (via ruby press).

By now, you’ve probably heard about Dabagirls.com. Dating A Banker Anonymous is a supposed support group for women who are sharing the pain of their rich Wall Street boyfriends’ job losses. Or, better put, they are mourning the loss of their regular trips to Bergdorf’s. In one article, the writer professes that “This whole messy ordeal has advanced my Botox start date by at least two years.”

If this whole thing seems ridiculous and like a total put-on, Linda Holmes of NPR thinks that’s because it is. She has noted that the women behind Dating A Banker Anonymous (two writers and an attorney) are drumming up publicity (even landing a much publicized article in the NY Times) with a bigger goal in mind like a possible book deal.

What do you think? Is Dating A Banker Anonymous a legit site or a publicity stunt?

Today, Obama’s election is taking the center stage and New York’s biggest political star Hillary Clinton is following him to Washington, D.C. At the same time, Wall Street institutions are at the mercy of the capital’s politicians, whose bailouts they’ve come to rely on. And, the city’s key industries (including tourism, finance and real estate) are down. New York just doesn’t seem to be getting much love these days.

Long-time New Yorkers are noticing empty Midtown streets on weekday mornings that, until recently, were full of bustling workers. And, nine Broadways shows closed down on a single day this January.

In the same time that New York’s unemployment rate went up, other U.S. cities including Seattle, Washington and Dallas actually reported gains in jobs.

Has New York lost its edge? The NY Times think that it’s cyclical, though it might take awhile this time around to bounce back. As one interviewee noted, the city that never sleeps may finally need a nap.