Private-Label Brands Gaining Clout ? And Pricing Power Consumers are showing an increasing preference for store brands over brand names, and it?s not all about the price. Party Time: Super Bowl Spending Could Hit $11 Billion Pollsters are estimating a record number of people, perhaps as many 173 million, will be watching as the New York Giants take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5. Procter & Gamble CFO on Earnings The quarter that we just completed was just in line, says Jon Moeller, Procter & Gamble CFO, who shares the company's growth projections and says the numbers are slightly lower reflecting primarily the foreign exchange environment. JC Penney: Day 2 of the ?Most Important Day in Retail? Before the start of JC Penney?s analyst day, William Ackman, largest holder of of JCP shares and Board Member, told CNBC it would be the most important day for retail in 25 years. Now that is a lot of pressure. Today is day two. Tough Year Ahead for P&G? Stifel Thinks So Procter & Gamble shares are trading lower Monday after Stifel Nicolaus analyst Mark Astrachan downgraded the stock, citing valuation and concern about the company's forecast for the second half of fiscal 2012. Rich Shoppers Are as Bargain-Hungry as Less Affluent Penny-pinching isn't just for the poor. The wealthy are just as interested in clipping coupons, hunting down deals, and keeping spending in check with shopping lists as less affluent consumers, according to a recent survey. That doesn't mean there aren't opportunties to make money. Better Times, Bigger Crowds at NRF Conference Bigger crowds at this year's National Retail Federation conference are a tangible sign of last year's solid growth in the retail industry. About 24,000 people are attending the conference in New York this year, the most in its history. Is Apple the Answer to Target's Problems? In the wake of a disappointing December sales report, it is clear Target has its work cut out. The discount retail chain has tried to hit up designers such as Missoni and Jason Wu to try and reignite the fashionable image that once drove its business. It's next move may be to partner with retail's latest darling: Apple. For 2012, Signs Point to Tepid Consumer Spending As the weak economy has trudged on, they have leaned on credit cards to pay for holiday gifts, many bought at discounts. They are dipping into savings to cover spikes in gas, food and rent. They are substituting domestic vacations for international trips, squeezing more life out of their washing machines and refrigerators and switching to alternatives as meat prices have risen. The New York Times reports.