NEW YORK — Supermarkets and big-box stores “could fare relatively well” this holiday season, Moody’s Investors Service here said yesterday, although no retail segment will be immune from an expected sales downturn. According to Moody’s, the negative outlook for the entire retail segment “has grown even more pessimistic,” with holiday spending likely to be weaker than expected across all segments. In addition to dismal sales, Moody’s said profits could also be affected, “because most retailers placed orders for merchandise over the summer, before the latest downturn, and ... markdowns [on some of that merchandise] will hurt retailers’ profitability.” Moody’s said this year’s holiday season is critical, “because it could expose the fragile capital structures of some retailers if it comes up short.”

Read More of Today's Headlines