Here are some general observations from my area in S.W. Tennessee:
I had been reading reports about low stock at stores like Walmart, so I went to check it out for myself and I could not believe how WIDE the aisles are now. Normally it is hard to get around without bumping into a rack or a box or something, but now there is so much empty space. They have also quit carrying a lot of the brands I usually purchase, and Kroger has done the same.
Dollar General STILL has Christmas and Valentine's stuff marked down to 90% off and no one is buying.
People everywhere are talking about the economy. I met a lady at the co-op the other day who said she had just lost her job of 25 years. She was frustrated that she had been unable to find patio tomato plants.
As others have mentioned, more people are gardening and the stock is low on plants and seed in my area. I was able to locate seed potatoes and they only had about a bushel left.
Two separate friends of mine have put their houses on the market to try and avoid foreclosure, though no one has requested a showing.
Two coffee shops have closed in my area, one was a Starbucks. A bakery has gone out of business. A new strip mall was built with about 10 stores, about a year ago, and only 2 stores are filled.
Foreclosure notices have increased in the newspaper. The help wanted ads are pitiful! There used to be pages and pages of them and now there is like one-half page of ads only and those are for the usual sales positions.
Our annual HUGE indoor craft fair was a big disappointment to the vendors. Most did not even earn back the cost of their booth.
What have you noticed in your area?
I had been reading reports about low stock at stores like Walmart, so I went to check it out for myself and I could not believe how WIDE the aisles are now. Normally it is hard to get around without bumping into a rack or a box or something, but now there is so much empty space. They have also quit carrying a lot of the brands I usually purchase, and Kroger has done the same.
Dollar General STILL has Christmas and Valentine's stuff marked down to 90% off and no one is buying.
People everywhere are talking about the economy. I met a lady at the co-op the other day who said she had just lost her job of 25 years. She was frustrated that she had been unable to find patio tomato plants.
As others have mentioned, more people are gardening and the stock is low on plants and seed in my area. I was able to locate seed potatoes and they only had about a bushel left.
Two separate friends of mine have put their houses on the market to try and avoid foreclosure, though no one has requested a showing.
Two coffee shops have closed in my area, one was a Starbucks. A bakery has gone out of business. A new strip mall was built with about 10 stores, about a year ago, and only 2 stores are filled.
Foreclosure notices have increased in the newspaper. The help wanted ads are pitiful! There used to be pages and pages of them and now there is like one-half page of ads only and those are for the usual sales positions.
Our annual HUGE indoor craft fair was a big disappointment to the vendors. Most did not even earn back the cost of their booth.
What have you noticed in your area?
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