THE RETAIL SUPPORT BRIGADE GAVE ITS ALL, BUT IT WASN’T ENOUGH THIS TIME: Retail Sales Plummet: “Price-slashing failed to rescue a bleak holiday season for beleaguered retailers, as sales plunged across most categories on shrinking consumer spending, according to new data released Thursday. . . . When gasoline sales are excluded, the fall in overall retail sales is more modest: a 2.5% drop in November and a 4% decline in December. A 40% drop in gasoline prices over the year-earlier period contributed to the sharp decline in total sales.” Which is good news, right? But still, not a good Christmas season. Online did better, but still fell. Plus this: “The personal savings rate also climbed in November. Socking away more in the bank leaves less for splurging at the mall.” But we’re supposed to want people to sock away more in the bank, right?