How are stores faring in tight economy?

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - Retailers say their sales for the month of March went out with a wimper. How are stores faring in a tight economy?

With the economy in a slump, retail stores are slashing prices a little more than usual, even for the Easter shopping season.

Take the Boulevard Mall, for example.

Buffalo mom Lisa Lane said, "I am finding a lot of stuff on sale, for this time of year, even the summer clothes. At J.C. Penny still, I am finding a lot of good sales."

News 4's Al Vaughters asked, "Which they normally would not put on sale?"

Lane said, "Exactly, yes."

And retail sales figures for March are giving economists reason for guarded optimism.

Walmart same store sales were up last month, but by less than half of what analysts were expecting.

Target sales were down, but not as steeply as predicted.

Kohl's was also down for March, but TJX, the parent company of T.J. Maxx and Marshall's was up.

Are the deals making a difference?

Newfane mom Jacquie Knight said, "We don't have a lot of extra money, now. So we go to the same stores, but we check the clearance racks, the sales racks first, see what we can find."

Some of the clearance items are so good, Allison Morgan is stocking up.

Appleton shopper Allison Morgan said, "But most of them are out of season that they mark down a lot, so I have to wait about another year to wear them.

Al Vaughters asked, "So you are buying clothes a year in advance?"

Morgan said, "Yes."

Retailers are feeling optimistic about the March sales figures because Easter is virtually excluded.

Last year, March sales included Easter.

With Easter coming in the second week of April, this year, market watchers are feeling upbeat about what this month's figures are going to show.