As investors monitor crowd sizes at stores on Black Friday they will be shopping for a different kind of holiday deal: retailers that do well in a mixed economy characterised by high prices and limited shopping budgets. Along with retail powerhouse Walmart, off-price retailers such as TJX and Ross Stores are expected to draw some bargain hunters away from department stores like Macy's and Kohls. Higher-end retailers like Ralph Lauren and Tapestry are expected to attract big-spenders but that is already reflected in their shares.

Walmart is up about 21% year-to-date, while Ralph Lauren is up around 61% and Tapestry is up about 70%. Investors and analysts still watch store traffic for clues on consumer sentiment and preferences even though an increasing number of shoppers opt to ord

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