Final answer:
A shift to the left in the demand curve for clothing at retail department stores indicates a decrease in demand. This can be caused by factors such as a decrease in consumers' income or changes in fashion trends.
Step-by-step explanation:
In economics, a shift to the left in the demand curve for clothing at retail department stores indicates a decrease in demand. This means that consumers are less willing to purchase clothing at every price level.
For example, if there is a decrease in consumers' income, they may have less money to spend on clothing, leading to a decrease in demand. Other factors such as changes in fashion trends or preferences can also cause a shift to the left in the demand curve.
As a result, retail department stores may experience lower sales and may need to adjust their pricing or inventory to respond to this decrease in demand.