How long can consumers keep economy going?

The AP reports:

Americans now find themselves in one of two groups: The 9 percent who make $100,000 or more and the 91 percent who don't, said Diane C. Swonk, senior managing director and chief economist at Mesirow Financial, a financial services firm based in Chicago.

"The bifurcation of the economy makes the economy look better on paper than it does to the majority of consumers," she said.

She blames the lousy summer movie season on higher gasoline prices, which inspired families to stay home and rent a DVD instead of spending $50 for gas and movie tickets. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp. did well during back-to-school shopping season, she said, "because middle income households started to move down the food chain."

For the top 9 percent, the good times continue to roll. According to Swonk, World Series tickets sold for $15,000 a pair. The Four Seasons Hotels Inc. says its $500 and higher rooms are doing better than ever, topping the Internet boom years. Sales of Coach Inc. handbags, which average about $435, increased 9 percent last summer and have stayed there.

We'll see what interest higher rates will do.