In this Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, file photo, Frankie Lee, the first in a line of several hundred shoppers at a Wal-Mart in Oakland, Calif., rubs his eyes shortly before the store opens at 5 a.m. If the economic downturn has taught retailers anything, itís that a 50 percent off sale isnít enough to lure finicky American shoppers into stores these days, so this holiday season, shoppers will find that retailers are doing all kinds of things to make it easier for them to part with their money.By MAE ANDERSON
AP Retail Writer
NEW YORK – This holiday season, Burger King won’t be the only place where you can have it your way.
It used to be enough for stores to promise discounts up to 70 percent to lure shoppers during the busy holiday period. But the ease of ordering online and the sluggish economy changed that. Americans are no longer impressed by discounts alone. Now they want their shopping just like their fast food: not only cheap, but convenient too.
That means they’re no longer afraid to walk away from the cashmere sweater with the perfect fit if the store is crowded. They’re unwilling to buy those suede pumps in just the right shade of blue if shipping costs extra. And they cringe at the prospect of carrying around paper coupons; they’d rather pull them up electronically on smartphones.