Sign o' the Times

Wal-Mart chops toy prices extra early
World's largest retailer ignites holiday price war in October by announcing deep discounts on some holiday toys.

By Parija B. Kavilanz, CNNMoney.com senior writer
October 1 2007

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- It's only the first day of October but Wal-Mart set the ball rolling on holiday price wars Monday by announcing deep discounts on some popular toys for the holiday shopping season. [...]

Typically, November and December account for as much as 50 percent of retailers' annual profits and sales...

It ain't 'cause they think the economy's firing on all cylinders and the upcoming shopping season's going to be a blockbuster...