While current economic conditions are not as dire as the Great Depression, many downtown merchants are still struggling. As some stores are closing and vacancies are increasing, downtowns and their businesses should focus on opportunities to reposition themselves. One opportunity available to many downtowns is aligning their business mix with day-to-day convenience shopping, then connecting the concept of “convenience” with “value.”

This article is from an Iowa State University report that presents data and analysis for decision makers, retail business owners, and concerned residents to determine the local impacts of tough economic times and offer solutions and means of adapting. This issue focuses on the recession as it relates to consumer behavior.

Many economic and retail experts predict a dismal holiday shopping season. An unstable economic environment is worsening as we head into the holiday season. The National Retail Federation expects holiday sales to grow at the slowest pace in years as shoppers worry about jobs, the housing market, stock market, and rising prices. America’s Research Group recently predicted that U.S. holiday retail sales will fall by 1 percent this year. This article summarizes insights from various retail analysts and explains why spending has slowed and what people are buying during these tough economic times.