News Summary: Shoppers may soon see more discounts
News Summary: With sales slowing, stores may be forced to slash prices to lure shoppers
PRE-HOLIDAY BLUES: After a promising start to the holiday shopping season over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend, sales have slowed as worries about weak U.S. job growth and other concerns have caused Americans to spend less.
STEP RIGHT UP: That puts pressure on stores, which had been offering fewer discounts this season than they did last year, to step up promotions.
INTO THE STRETCH: With only about a week and a half left until Christmas, stores have a ways to go to reach ShopperTrak's forecast of a 3.3 percent rise in sales during the two-month stretch compared with last year.
