Wal-Mart

"Purchases are really dropping off by the end of the month even more than last year," Duke said. "This end-of-month [purchases] cycle is growing to be a concern. | Wal-Mart shoppers, many of whom live pay check to pay check, typically shop in bulk at the beginning of the month when their pay checks come in. | Wal-Mart's core shoppers are running out of money much faster than a year ago due to rising gasoline prices, and the retail giant is worried, CEO Mike Duke said Wednesday. | "We're seeing core consumers under a lot of pressure," Duke said at an event in New York. "There's no doubt that rising fuel prices are having an impact." | Lately, they're "running out of money" at a faster clip, he said.