Most retailers reported dismal holiday sales, but there is one sector of the shopping world that’s pulling in extra cash, even without payday loans. Discount retailers are benefiting from cash-strapped shoppers seeking bargains.
Secondhand stores like the Salvation Army are pulling in more customers during the recession.
Hand-me-down sales go up
Secondhand stores [...]
Though online powerhouse Amazon.com pulled in extra cash this year, overall retail sales on electronics, women’s clothing and jewelry plummeted more than 20 percent from last holiday season. Even online payday loans couldn’t coax consumers into spending at the levels they did last year.
Electronics retailer Circuit City sought bankruptcy protection [...]