Next time you go to the mall, take a look at the shops which are busy with customers and notice which one are not. When times get tough, people stop paying $5 for a fancy cup of coffee. The expensive department stores are certainly not crowded. Even the grocery stores are feeling the pinch, with shoppers spending less. So where’s business good? Shoppers are looking for bargains and are willing to search out stores that save them money. For example, the bakery thrift shops are enjoying a spike in sales. The (gently) used clothing shops are doing well. The factory outlet malls are doing much better than their department store competitors.