More shoppers thinking twice in the checkout line

NEW YORK � Penny-pinching Americans are getting cold feet at the checkout � thinking twice about spending and ditching items before they're rung up.

They're leaving sweaters in the dress department, dumping cookies near the grocery cashier and waiting until the last minute to weigh wants versus needs. Online, shoppers are abandoning their virtual carts as they search for better deals.

People "want to be in the act of shopping, but they don't want to be in the act of buying," said Joel Bines, a director at AlixPartners, a turnaround consultant.


Sounds like a good defense for shoplifters who load up their bags, and dump them before exiting the store!