(CNN)– Target is expecting a surprisingly weak holiday shopping season. The company forecast Wednesday sales during the final quarter of the year will be flat. It also lowered its profit forecast and reported a sluggish sales increase of just three-tenths of a percent during its latest quarter. Target is a Bellwether for consumer spending habits and the retail sector as a whole. The holiday shopping season is crucial for retailers. Target can survive a weal holiday season, but many smaller companies depend on strong sales during the holidays. Categories: News Tags: Target