Consumer Confidential: Jobless stats, holiday spirit, non-naked Playboy

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Here’s your take-a-letter-Maria Tuesday roundup of consumer news from around the Web:

-- The unemployment rate fell last month in 39 states, but the news isn’t as cheery as it sounds. The statistical improvement mainly reflects the fact that more people have simply given up looking for work, and that means they’re no longer being counted among the official jobless. The Labor Department says the national unemployment dropped last month to 9.5% from 9.7% a month before. But that mostly means about 650,000 people stopped looking for work. California’s unemployment rate remains at 12.3%.

-- Ready for Christmas in July? Some major retailers and decking the halls a few months early in hopes of getting shoppers into a festive -- and buying -- mood. Target, Sears and Toys R Us are among stores getting into the way-early holiday spirit, and will be offering discounts of as much as 40% off regular prices. Whatever it takes, I say. Just keep those discounts coming.

-- At last: Our friends at Playboy have introduced a work-safe website that pajama-minded guys can peruse at the office. The site, dubbed Thesmokingjacket.com, features dude-centric content that Playboy is famous for, but no naughty bits. If you’re looking for female flesh, this ain’t the spot. However, the site won’t include the lengthy interviews and in-depth articles that guys for decades have been using as an excuse to check out the latest issue. Instead, it will emphasize funny stuff. I give it maybe six months.

-- David Lazarus