Jan Rogers Kniffen

Consumer spending is a key indicator of the nation's overall economic health. It's also acutely important for the financial health of retailers, who faced a tepid first half in 2013 and now turn their hopes to the back-to-school season — their second busiest time of year after the holiday season. "We thought there would be pent up demand in the second quarter of 2013, but we didn't see that demand manifest," says Jan Rogers Kniffen, CEO of J Rogers Kniffen WWE.