15. From car dealerships to Gap outlets, sales have been lagging for months as shoppers temper their spending.

【分析】复合句。句子主干为sales have been lagging for months;from car dealerships to Gap outlets 为介词结构作状语;as引导一个原因状语从句。
【译文】从汽车经销商到盖普直销店，由于顾客削减了开支，几个月来销售额一直走低。
【点拨】 1)outlet在本句中意为“经销店”，此外还有“出口；排水口；插座”的意思。2)lag作动词时，意为“走得极慢；落后；滞后，延迟”,作名词时，意为“（两件事之间的）时间间隔；迟缓，延搁”。3) temper作动词原意为“使缓和；使温和”，本句中是“削减”的意思；作名词时，意为“脾气,性情;怒气”。

16. For retailers, who last year took in 24 percent of their revenue between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the cautious approach is coming at a crucial time.

【分析】复合句。介词结构for retailers...作状语，其中含有who引导的定语从句，修饰限制retailers;主句主干为 the cautious approach is coming;介词短语 at a crucial time作状语。
【译文】去年零售商在感恩节和圣诞节之间的收入占全年收入的24%。而现在这个关键时刻采取了谨慎的营销方式。