Rising oil prices were probably the bigger culprit for the latest weak numbers, according to economists.

Women of color lead in much weaker numbers.

"We have not seen any weak numbers thus far," he said.

The weak numbers signaled that consumer spending is unlikely to drive the economy anytime soon.

"We've got to be careful not to overreact to today's weak economic numbers," he said.

Robust profit reports came with warnings of weak numbers to come.

But despite consistently weak numbers," he said, "the market isn't moving any higher.

Analysts and retailing executives had been expecting the weak numbers.

"A weaker than expected June employment report might suggest that we could get a whole month of weak economic numbers," he said.

The release of weak housing-start numbers for November had little effect, traders said.