"Consumers are always playing chicken with the retailers, and retailers almost always blink," said Tracy Clark, an economist at the Bank One Economic Outlook Center at Arizona State University.

"Consumers have been conditioned: If they do wait, they will get the bargains."

This year, shoppers just happen to be waiting longer. Some of that procrastinating relates to the search for bargains. But analysts point out that there wasn't a headline-grabbing hot toy driving shoppers to the stores early. Others indicate an extra two days between Thanksgiving and Christmas is giving consumers a sense that they have plenty of time to shop.

Just 13 percent of consumers have wrapped up their holiday spending, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Another survey this week from the National Retail Federation shows consumers are done with 46.3 percent of their shopping this year, compared with 52 percent the same time last year.

"I'm not procrastinating, I'm just looking for the perfect gift," said Patrick Ramirez, 40, of Chandler, Ariz.

Last year at this time, he was done with his shopping duties. But this year, he has a few more presents to go.

Retailers nationally, while reporting gains over last year, have been disappointed that sales haven't been stronger, and many are now ramping up their incentives to attract shoppers. Even discount stores showed just a 1 percent sales gain in November.

"There have been good sales, but no follow-through (from shoppers). There's no momentum, but there may be more momentum (this weekend) because the time is now to buy those gifts," said Michael Niemira, chief economist for the International Council of Shopping Centers.

November same-store sales were up just 1.7 percent, according to the council. Receipts for the week ending Dec. 11 increased 1.2 percent over the previous week and were 2.4 percent ahead of the same time last year.

The council projects December to be up 3.5 percent, barring any major news event. Meanwhile, the National Retail Federation anticipates a 4.5 percent gain in holiday sales.

Consumers headed to stores this weekend also will be greeted with plenty of discounts, which hadn't been heavily pushed early this season.

"They (shoppers) are definitely going to be walking into stores with sales. Even those that shopped earlier are going to be tempted to overbuy," said Candace Corlett, a partner at New York consulting firm WSL Strategic Retail.

Expect Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Macy's and Restoration Hardware to join Sears, Roebuck and Co. and J.C. Penney Co. Inc. to offer big discounts, analysts said.

But retailers are getting smarter about slashing prices. Many are rewarding consumers with gift cards instead of cash discounts at the register.