Only Two Shopping Days Left...

2008-12-23 | 11:05

and sales are lousy.

Looks like it's going to be a ho-hum Christmas after all. According to sources, retail sales for the six weeks to Dec. 13 were off 2% from the same time a year ago, and there are five fewer shopping days this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What's more, a winter storm dumped more than nine inches of snow in much of the Northeast last week. Forcing many would-be shoppers to stay home and shovel out.

To generate some action, beauty companies are offering deep discounts. For example, Bath & Body Works are offering products for 50% off and even Lancôme touted a $339 cosmetics set for $49.50 with any purchase of $36 or more.