Car prices declined in July, but that reflected aggressive discounting by manufacturers to reduce inventories.
Some colleges argue that aggressive discounting has allowed them to build more prestigious and, ultimately, better institutions.
Among individual categories, colder weather and aggressive discounting helped to bolster apparel sales, which rose by 2.8 percent in November.
"The silver lining of this Christmas is they were able to accomplish that through very aggressive discounting."
Such aggressive discounting has helped close the gap between Broadway and Off Broadway prices.
Two importers that had been under sales pressure staged striking comebacks in August, both in part because of aggressive discounting and advertising.
Of all holiday retailing trends in recent years, the strongest has been aggressive discounting.
Beef's continuing popularity in this country has been helped by aggressive discounting, especially of ground beef.
"Even with aggressive discounting, you're still looking at another down year for auto sales."
Cruise lines, with their aggressive last-minute discounting, have succeeded in taking away business from island hotels, according to agents and industry analysts.