I wonder what prices will be like on Christmas Eve.
Analysts expect more discounts as Christmas nears
MILWAUKEE - The clock is winding down on what could be one of the worst holiday shopping seasons in decades and recession-hit shoppers are finally starting to feel some pressure to spend.But toy stores, electronic outlets and clothing boutiques are also under pressure to get shoppers to loosen their purse strings by offering steep discounts, analysts and retailers say.
There is now just one full shopping weekend left before Christmas in a holiday season marked by recession and consumers worried about their slumping investments, dire economic news and fragile job security.
Traffic rose at stores this past weekend. Analysts said, however, that consumers still were making fewer purchases than last year. Prices were slashed 50, 60 even 70 percent in an effort to turn reluctant window-browsers into buyers.
"The holiday is going to come whether the economy is up or down," said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at market research group NPD Group. "The customers are going to shop. They may be buying less; they may be spending less."
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