Retail Therapy Is Cheaper Than Ever

BOSTON (TheStreet) -- The lingering hangover of the recession has replaced the one-time mantra of "shop till you drop" with the new pricing strategy of "drop till they shop."

America has gone on sale, from traditional holiday gifts like electronics and basics such as food and housing to big-ticket items including cars.

Retailers are expecting the worst this holiday season after American shoppers from around the country said a year ago they planned to spend an average of $431 on gifts in 2008, a drop of 50% from a year earlier. Consumers will follow the same spending pattern this year, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. ...