Retailers See Fourth of July Spending Fizzle

After 9/11, political leaders and commentators had a suggestion to boost American spirits and fuel patriotism: Go shopping. This Fourth of July, more Americans are doing the opposite: barbecuing instead of buying. A fifth of Americans (21 percent) said they don't plan to celebrate Independence Day and those who are plan to spend less than last year, according to a survey released Sunday of a little more than 1,000 people by Visa.