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[rcjordan]

I haven't really seen any articles addressing this yet, so it's just a casual observation.

I've only been in a few stores myself after christmas but even in the final shopping days before christmas the shelves looked sparce. I think the merchants kept the inventory rock-bottom this season.

[isthisthingon]

I've seen the same thing.  I half expected to hear the drama on the news about "the worst Christmas ever" but haven't seen anything yet.  Health care bill and tension in the middle east.  What else is new?

[rcjordan]

>"the worst Christmas ever"

From the merchant's perspective, if they were to hit the sweet spot on price-point & inventory balance so that there was just enough to satisfy demand without having to resort to draconian price cuts to induce customers to haul the crap away then the retail profit should be maximized.  The flip side is that consumers, of course, will be bitchin' that there were/are no deals.

[jammaster82]

i noticed this too, then i realize all the real deals can be found by just buyin unwanted gifts off ebay and cl hahah.... Also, I noticed only TWO santa hats being worn by people this year.   Wheres the christmas spirit?

 Aside from the growing demonic despair-glare that i just get generally from people as  our economy continues to flush itself down the ethereal toilet bowl.

The economys ugly head is showing itself.  I know some unemployed people who cant even get hired at MCDONALDS.

[rcjordan]

some confirmation of my observation here:

Bonanza eludes America’s bargain-hunters

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article6969957.ece

BUT there are also many news stories about US shoppers swarming out for bargains.  I think these stories are mostly the routine, canned post-christmas news article but it's too soon to tell, I guess.