From a "long" investment standpoint an important point to mention is that the highest-end retail co's also can remain immune if there is support from a relatively strong global economy. Remember companies such as Coach (COH), Estee Lauder (EL), and Tiffany (TIF) sell a not insignificant amount of their products outside the U.S. and a weak dollar can be a bonus when overseas net earnings are repatriated.
Coach Grows in Japan as Market Contracts [View article]
Retail's Slowdown Creeping Upscale [View article]