Given the demographics of the targeted Pier 1 consumer, we believe higher gas prices could limit spending levels and further impact comparable sales.

I continue to believe that the effects of higher gas prices on the consumer are overestimated. Most of the important measures of discretionary spending such as furniture, lawn and garden and food sales held up nicely.

If gas prices go up, the consumer is going to be a little tighter than they were.

We haven't yet seen the negative effect of gas prices on consumer spending. It's certainly not here in these numbers. That doesn't mean it's not there. Certainly the weekly retail sales numbers have been sluggish.

Gas prices have a significant impact on the consumer psyche,

consumer spending has not been dented by the hurricane-inspired rise in gasoline prices and fears of higher home heating oil bills.