To the surprise of just about nobody, holiday sales have been way down this year.
SpendingPulse says retail spending was down as much as 8 percent from 2007. Now retailers' fortunes will be decided in the next six days of post-Christmas sales. Many stores are slashing prices yet again, simply to move inventory out the door.
They're hoping that huge discounts will motivate consumers to spend -- by offering deals that probably won't last beyond January 1st.
And that leads to our Fast Money Reader Poll. Do you plan to go shopping between now and the end of the year -- because you think current discounts are too good to pass up?
______________________________________________________
Got something to say? Send us an e-mail at fastmoney-web@cnbc.com and your comment might be posted on the Rapid Recap! Prefer to keep your comments private? Send those questions and comments to fastmoney@cnbc.com.
CNBC.com with wires
