Retail Sales Nudge Up; Confidence Edges Down

* Despite the increase in confidence, slightly fewer consumers (37.9 percent) plan on becoming more practical and realistic in their purchases, down from 38.8 percent this past July and 41.2 percent in August 2006;

* 46.5 percent of consumers say they’re more focused on needs than wants in purchasing, down from July (47.4 percent) and significantly down from last August (51.3 percent);