voa标准英语2008-Businesses Around World Try to Boost Sales

Retailers³ around the world are slashing⁴ prices in the hopes of convincing wary⁵ consumers to spend money again, as one survey finds critical holiday sales in the United States fell by as much as four percent this year. But encouraging spending could be a tough sell with so many people worried about the impact of a global recession. And analysts⁷ warn of far-reaching consequences if retailers do not succeed.
　

Shoppers in a mall near Washington, DC

From Sydney, Australia, where shoppers lined up outside a store waiting to rush inside to the streets of London, consumers are looking for bargains. "Everybody is expecting at least 50 percent off, and that's what they are getting. So there are some good deals," said one shopper.

But the key may be how stores fare in the United States, at a time when Americans like Judd McIntyre of Arlington, Virginia are buying only what they need. "Yeah, I think we expected some sales, but we're not big shoppers anyway. I just bought some necessities. I hadn't bought clothes in quite a few years," he said.
　

Sign promoting reduced prices at US department store

Many U.S. retailers depend on sales in the weeks leading up the Christmas holiday to make a profit for the year. But an industry trade group, the International Council of Shopping Centers, says this could be the worst holiday shopping season in 40 years.

Analyst⁶ Candace Corlett with WSL Strategic says the stakes are high. "We are already seeing the international ripple⁸ effect of the drop in consumption by American shoppers. The ripple effect goes out to China and to India and to Vietnam where so many of our goods are made," she said.

Retail¹ analyst Marshal Cohen with the NPD Group says stores have few options. "The retailer² got caught really with more merchandise than he expected and prices are really the only way that they're going to be able to get the consumer to spend."

U.S. stores, even high-end retailers, are offering deep discounts, some slashing prices by 70 percent.

Some are trying to reach out to consumers with advertising⁹ on the Internet. "Still got a few things left on your holiday wish list? Come in and shop our after Christmas sale," said one advertisement.

The store even offered to call consumers to remind them to come in.
　

Store clerks rings up sales at US department store

Strategic Resource Group Managing Director Bruce Flickinger tells Bloomberg that for many retailers, it may already be too late. "You're going to have a record number of retailers filing for bankruptcy¹⁰. Big national and multi-regional chains in every sector¹¹. You're also going to have thousands of shopping centers also filing for bankruptcy."

But not all retailers are suffering. Internet giant Amazon.com, which ships merchandise to 210 countries, says the 2008 holiday shopping season has been its best ever. Amazon says on December 15, it was taking orders at a rate of almost 73 per second.

1 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

2 retailer   

n.零售商(人)

参考例句：

• What are the retailer requirements?零售商会有哪些要求呢？
• The retailer has assembled a team in Shanghai to examine the question.这家零售商在上海组建了一支团队研究这个问题。

3 retailers   

零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• High street retailers reported a marked increase in sales before Christmas. 商业街的零售商报告说圣诞节前销售量显著提高。
• Retailers have a statutory duty to provide goods suitable for their purpose. 零售商有为他们提供符合要求的货品的法定义务。

4 slashing   

adj.尖锐的；苛刻的；鲜明的；乱砍的v.挥砍( slash的现在分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减

参考例句：

• Slashing is the first process in which liquid treatment is involved. 浆纱是液处理的第一过程。 来自辞典例句
• He stopped slashing his horse. 他住了手，不去鞭打他的马了。 来自辞典例句

5 wary   

adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的

参考例句：

• He is wary of telling secrets to others.他谨防向他人泄露秘密。
• Paula frowned,suddenly wary.宝拉皱了皱眉头，突然警惕起来。

6 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

7 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

8 ripple   

n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进

参考例句：

• The pebble made a ripple on the surface of the lake.石子在湖面上激起一个涟漪。
• The small ripple split upon the beach.小小的涟漪卷来，碎在沙滩上。

9 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

10 bankruptcy   

n.破产；无偿付能力

参考例句：

• You will have to pull in if you want to escape bankruptcy.如果你想避免破产，就必须节省开支。
• His firm is just on thin ice of bankruptcy.他的商号正面临破产的危险。

11 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。