This economic downturn is hitting every kind of reailer, from top of the line deaprtment stores to discounters.

Retailers' sales fell by double digits in September.

All retailers from coast to coast are struggling, from mom and pop stores to high end department stores.

Recent downturns in the economy have not always affected all segments of the population , but this time everyone is feeling the pain.

Last month Neiman Marcus sales tumbled almost 16 %, Sak's Fifth Avenue saw sales sink almost 11 %, Nordstrom dropped almost 10 %.