Holiday Shoppers Counting Pennies As Economy Lags

CHRISTMAS tinsel and twinkly lights are already going up in many stores across America, but the holiday buyers whose patronage merchants count on to "make their year" profit-wise are not rushing to purchase lavish presents - at least not yet.With the United States economy still lagging, despite this week's report that it grew at a 2.4 percent annual rate in the July through September period, one analyst forecasts that retailers who offer attractively packaged but moderately priced goods will do well. STORY, PAGE 7