If you're invested in big retail stocks this season I think you're going to be rewarded handsomely come next quarter's reporting period. That is if my weekend experience is any indicator.

I experienced a madhouse of buying in nearly every major retail outlet I visited. From electronics stores like Best Buy and Circuit City, to Target, always my favorite for finding just the right something to be returned or exchanged after the holidays.

The interesting thing was, almost everyone I talked to had the same frustration with their shopping. They were having problems finding the things whey wanted, and so were having to settle for an alternative. I got to wondering whether these big retailers might be implementing a strategy of limiting supply of the hottest items and up selling customers to alternatives as a way to drive profits.

By up selling, I don't necessarily mean selling something more profitable. I mean something that carries a heftier margin and has greater supply.

Have you been able to find a Wii system this year? A friend asked me to look for and buy one if I found it. Everywhere I asked I was told there were none to be found, and in every case the salesperson was quick to offer an alternative which the store happened to have in stock.

Good salesmanship, or good strategy implementation? Maybe both