beleaguered 復習
アメリカではブラックフライデーにおける買い物客が国民の69パーセントになるだろうとの予想が出ています。
Retailers optimistic on Black Friday weekend
As Black Friday shoppers descend on stores this weekend, retailers are experiencing something that’s been in short supply: optimism.
Brick-and-mortar chains are coming off a generally positive earnings season, with companies such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. seeing their shares reach record highs. Even the beleaguered department-store industry is finding reasons for hope. Macy’s Inc. and its peers rallied earlier this month after giving an upbeat outlook.
Retailers are now taking that spirit into Black Friday weekend, which traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping season. While the event has lost some of its buzz in recent years — there will probably be smaller crowds and fewer shoppers fistfighting for big-screen TVs — stores aim to build on the momentum. Companies like Target Corp. have revamped their selection and staffed up in anticipation of a merrier Christmas. “We’re in a much stronger position entering this season,” Target Chief Executive Officer Brian Cornell said in an interview.
The National Retail Federation projects that about 164 million consumers — 69 percent of Americans — will shop at stores or online over the long weekend that starts on Thanksgiving. Though Black Friday still has strong symbolism within the industry, consumers have become less loyal to the event’s promotions. Instead, they’re spending more of their holiday budgets before or after Thanksgiving.
以下省略
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0004086735
beleaguered /bɪlíɡɚd/ を取り上げます。 “is finding reasons for hope” とあることから、売上があまりよくない状態を表しているのだろうと思いました。『ライトハウス英和辞典』(第5版 研究社)で引くと「1(人、組織、計画などが)非難の集中砲火をあびた;悩まされた 2(格式)(都市、軍隊などが)敵に包囲された」とありました。
LDOCEには “experiencing a lot of problems or criticism” や “surrounded by an army” と定義されています。
記事の内容に戻ると、 “the beleaguered department-store industry” という部分は、デパート業界が困難な状況に置かれていることを表していると考えられます。(aqua)
beleaguered #2 - 田邉祐司ゼミ 常時英心:言葉の森から
bleaguered - 田邉祐司ゼミ 常時英心:言葉の森から