" This is Money Markets & More for this Monday march ninth 2009. From the newsroom at the MarketWatch radio network I'm Adrian Mitchell. Coming up six companies make an announcement that will be welcome news for many parents I'm John word on -- also coming up."

" Barbie get some tattoos. Writing and that's right some body art for Barbie consumer racing -- will join us to talk about that Adrian Caldwell."

" Wonder what can think only. My -- Andy yeah. Barbie is also making business history on this march ninth him. -- On -- state in 1959. Point -- and made her debut at the international toy fair in New York. I'm -- time -- Back then why. You know then I know him well. I made."

" I don't know. That's the original Barbie commercial from 1959. It's one less worry for many parents six major manufacturers say they'll no longer sell baby bottles that contain a chemical called bisphenol -- a known as the EPA. Scientists say the chemical acts like estrogen and can affect baby's genes. The companies making the pledge -- Playtex Gerber even flow Disney first years doctor brown. And of -- America. T Boone Pickens has spent 58 million dollars of his own money to promote his plan to wean us off foreign oil especially oil from the Middle East. And it looks like he's convinced at least some economists 60% of those who responded to a poll taken at a Wall Street Journal conference support his general strategy. The legendary Texas oilman says if you don't think we'll -- 200 to 300 dollar oil in ten years. You're kidding yourself. After a week that saw a Wednesday rally fizzle and the major indices dive backed down to their late ninety's levels can we expect any better news in the week to come. We get a look ahead for MarketWatch radio reporter Larry Kofsky at the New York Stock Exchange. "

" Well Adrian consumers continue to hold tight to their cash Americans are doing more bargain shopping buying little more than what they need. The government this week reports on February retail sales economists surveyed by MarketWatch see a modest decline -- MP chief economist David leases hoping for a repeat of January's positive surprise."

" A lot stronger than we expected in January apparently because the smaller retailers did better in the big ones. I'm hoping that. They do -- in February 12 when negative however there will be a success sizable drop in auto sales. Went up in January because of a couple of oddities including the fact there were big drop in -- people didn't take into account that. In February it looks like car sales are going to be way down."

" Restaurants may also be a soft spot."

" That's something people can cut back on the specialist and people are travelling less. Now taking vacation you're not eating out as much. So I'm expecting to see -- numbers on the restaurant side on the other hand. Grocery stores were probably do a little bit better because people are needing a printer problem -- I don't."

" This week's calendar were also includes January trade or serving sees a forty billion dollar deficit little changed from December. And we'll get an update on consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan. Adrian."

" Thanks Larry. Well as we told you Barbie is one of our and you list fabulous fifty somethings. But that doesn't mean she's not keeping up with the latest trends Howard John -- docket and -- found out what she's up to now."

" I wonder what mom and dad think about Barkley getting tattoos. It appears Barbie who's turning fifty years old that's right she's -- half century old despite being that good looking and that's slam. Is getting tattoos she's also going overseas and joining us to talk more about this is our consumer base and Kate's. And -- did you have a Barbie growing up."

" Absolutely and several of them. What armies -- I had I think at a Malibu Barbie united twist and turn Barbie. So what's going on with Barbie what is she doing at this point in her -- well we have a couple of developments here first of all Mattel which saw a very steep drop in profits recently off 46%. Is now looking to China for its next phase of growth so they're opening. A Barbie store in Shanghai it's a it's a standalone is only it's all Barbie only Barbie. Six stories high multi million dollar investment even during this recession that will Natalie self. You know Barbie dolls Barbie accessories Barbie -- things like candy bars it's also going to have a restaurant and a salon. And things like that so -- sort of going. For the multi you know experience here for people. In China so this is multinational Barbie right in back and they're going to even have a Shanghai Barbie just for that store. Amazing how was this franchise continues to roll along what else is she doing. Well some some parents are are kind of upset with -- right now because. The spraying are just actually out now is the totally style and tattoos Barbie. Well that's kind of raise all sorts of the problems don't you think mom can I get a tattoo like Barbie London the dog comes with like these little teeny tiny. Tattoos that you can stick on Barbie and some parents think that's convenient just ridiculous silly time scissors. People on parenting blogs are just outraged by that one mother says now there's going to be a totally style and appears to Barbie next so you know where do you draw the line."

" Yes so any word on where these tattoos are on -- I think think think you can get a -- of the union apply them yourself -- understanding so you can now -- conducts investigative journalist and find out okay seek and put him right above them but talks there which is a popular bar on but yes the Barbie it talks right buttons or you could probably."

" Right above the ankle you do wanna -- public Popeye the -- and where else do you have you -- I don't have any -- is that maybe you know that the if you get one for your daughter party -- putted it honored you know efforts just like the pack two -- to approve the."

" Now I have a tattoo on my left -- have Tenet says in stocks we trust OK yes. Yes very attractive it is as an -- when I flex it look at that it goes up and down just like the stock market or slightly flex. -- goes up and down mostly down these days stock market behind them. I guess Barbie is continues to be an icon and we should continue to see. Barbie grow here even in this down economy yeah I guess because you know when you're fifty you're going through midlife crisis so maybe she needs some taxes to you know get her through she needs to spice things up and what you think and thinks of office."

" I'm not sure -- not very talkative and notice so we'll have to say yeah but this here looks good answer."

" And so does yours well thank you very much I have the best here and radio okay. You -- them now I didn't know it -- out of the last three years I I missed that enhance this Sunday it's in my press release that I put down every year and -- our consumer race joining us to talk Barbie that's right all things are things."

" And as always thank you thank you."

" And finally a chain of tires stories is adding mixed nuts to its inventory of lug nuts or olive oil to its motor oil. I'll stop now. Canadian tire is going to try selling groceries. -- already sells things like pet food and detergent and now the star of Toronto reports is testing the idea and a couple stores. So if you're headed to the great white north he can get some raisins with York rate deals. And that's it for this special Barbie edition of Money Markets & More. Have a story idea once to look into something he'll create a rightist our email address MarketWatch. Radio news room. At Yahoo.com. -- Adrian Mitchell thanks delisting till next time."