Times: Bad Economy = Early Holiday Sales on Fifth Avenue in New York City

How bad is the economy? I can see from my office window that the sidewalks are empty along Fifth Avenue.

Still, it is hard to believe that the New York Times printed a list of holiday Christmas (and Hanukkah) sales along the ritziest avenue in the country, Fifth Avenue from the 40's through the 50's (Story: "On Fifth Avenue, the Discounts Arrive Early").

Here are the stores they mentioned and some of the specific bargains. (BTW, I'm still not buying.)

• Takashimaya, the deluxe, eclectic Japanese department store at Fifth Avenue between 54th and 55th Streets, a $290 pair of black pony hair gloves for $199
• H&M’s flagship shop at Fifth and 51st Street advertised a one-day 30-percent-off sale on outerwear
• Ann Taylor - 30 percent off at Armani Exchange over the weekend
• Cole Haan shop at Rockefeller Plaza - “whisper sales,” offering 30 percent off to whoever wanders in
• Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy and Bloomingdales, - “Friends and Family” sales
• Bergdorf Goodman
• Salvatore Ferragamo
• Benetton near the corner of East 48th Street, coats are 40 percent off
• Esprit shop - $30 cash card for every $100 spent
• Banana Republic’s “Friends and Family” sale
• sweater dress at Ann Taylor, introduced at $100 just over two weeks ago, now $59.99
• Paul Morelli jewelry counter at Bergdorf Goodman - a $1,400 Nancy Gonzalez raspberry crocodile skin clutch, now $980
• Prada and Fendi
• Versace
• Salvatore Ferragamo
• Donatella
• boutiques in SoHo
• East Village boutiques