Six Retailers That Are Thriving

Kiplinger looks at six retailers that are doing well in this remarkably tough climate.

If you're anything like most of us, probably not. Retail sales during the Christmas shopping season slipped 3% from the same period in 2007, and the National Retail Federation projects a 0.5% decline in sales for all of 2009. Linens 'n Things, Circuit City, KB Toys and Sharper Image are just a few of the household names that have already succumbed to the hostile climate. Stalwarts such as Home Depot and Macy's are laying off thousands of employees.

But a small number of companies are quietly thriving. Some are big enough to offer the best deals on the essentials, some benefit from the demise of rivals, and others offer products too near to customers' hearts for them to forgo. Add these retail survivors to your shopping list for your next stock-buying spree.

Whales in the pond. Americans are not only buying less of everything, but they're also spending fewer dollars on the items that they do buy.