I noticed the same thing when we went to the movies last week.

I think the “meeting place” theory has a lot of merit to it. There is definitely a distinction between the number of shoppers and the amount of money spent.

People have been, for the last couple of years, buying down debt. Perhaps people are feeling like they are not as indebted as they once were.

Speaking personally, I am spending less money on our house, which is big-ticket stuff, allowing more for savings and little things like tickets to sporting/entertainment events, electronics and other things.