• Business Week , Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:45 AM

As consumers downgrade and hunt for deals, Moira Herbst reports, variety/discount stores such as 99 Cents Only Stores, Dollar General, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar Stores are doing well. According the National Retail Federation's 2008 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey conducted by BIGresearch, 40% of shoppers say sales/promotions are the largest factor when determining where to shop.

Some value-oriented restaurants are also faring relatively well. Jeremy Schumacher, who manages an Applebee's in Columbus, Ohio, says that for the past three months his restaurant has been pulling in an average of 200 more customers and $4,000 more per week. "People are very happy with happy hour," when drinks and appetizer prices are half off, Schumacher says.

One 30-year-old Manhattan chef tells Herbst he's resigned to skimping on electronic gadgets but, as a single guy, knows he has to draw the line when it comes to dating. "For most women, a movie and McDonald's isn't a quality date," he says.

Read the whole story at Business Week »