Content area
Full Text
Headnote
RETAIL
A weaker housing market is expected to bite into national retail sales in 2007. And, for the first time in years, Orange County could lag the nation.
Locally, retail sales are predicted to rise 4.4%, down from estimated growth of 6.3% in 2006, according to Chapman University's 2007 economic forecast.
National retail sales are expected to grow 5% this year, compared to 6% in 2006.
For the past couple of years, mortgage refinancing helped fuel sales. Consumers...