LIFE GOES ON

A spokeswoman for Goodwill Industries International, which operates more than 2,000 second-hand stores across the US, said sales have increased nearly 7 per cent over the first nine months of the year. More specifically, she said store managers in New York City -- the epicenter of the Wall Street meltdown -- were noticing new faces in their shoppers' midst lately.

Another discount avenue that is growing in popularity is sample sales, where fashion companies aim to unload excess goods at deep discounts. They have traditionally been held in cities like New York or Los Angeles, but a number of companies have emerged that now do the same thing online.

Top Button is one such company, which said it is getting a boost as fashionistas become more bargain-conscious and the credit crisis forces some fashion brands out of business.

"We haven't seen a decrease in shopping," said Top Button co-founder Michael Feldman. "If anything, it's been a lot more." The company's original site TopButton.com has information about actual sample sales while a newer site, TopSecret.com, holds virtual sample sales.

A recent event featured Andrew Marc coats at 65 per cent off retail. Feldman said they sold 1,200 pieces in five hours.

"People still have to go to parties. They may change their shopping habits ... but life doesn't stop," Feldman said.

That sentiment is being shared by executives at Ann Taylor, which usually sells many special occasion items like dresses, cashmere sweaters and party tops during November and December.

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