Steve Van Metre, an expert in retail sales and consumer behavior, breaks down the bleak state of holiday shopping for 2024. He discusses how consumers are eager to spend but face financial constraints, leading to disappointing sales results. The conversation delves into troubling trends, such as reduced restaurant visits and shifts in entertainment spending as households reassess budgets. Van Metre also highlights alarming signs in the labor market, with layoffs and stagnant wages foreshadowing a potential economic downturn.