Retailers turn away from baby boomers, focus on younger customers

If you're over 40, you're going to be feeling out of place in most stores soon -- and not just in the clothing stores. There's a generational shift going on in retail, and many merchants will stop focusing on Baby Boomers as we emerge from the recession.

After analyzing recent shopper data, the consulting group Retail Forward concluded the Boomers' spending spree is over, thanks in no small part by the stock market swan dive last year. And in a briefing to retailers, it warned that the younger generations will be a tougher nut to crack.