Have You Noticed?

For months now, even prior to the US economic fallout, there has been rumblings and then proclamations throughout the publishing world that book sales are going to fall drastically. I've generally ignored these rumors because I tend to believe that in times of crisis people turn to reading more often than not as a way to escape the depressing nature of the real world. 

But maybe I am wrong. 

In the past two weeks I've been to Borders three times. Each time I've noticed that bookshelves to be increasingly sparse. It's like they aren't restocking. The tables that welcome you when you walk in are becoming bare. Are bookstores not reordering because they aren't selling? Take in account to the number of email coupons and coupons you get at the register - $5 off when you spend $5 ... 40% off any one item ... surely a good deal but how am I suppose to use these if the stock isn't replenished?

Am I alone in seeing this or have others seen it too? Will the publishing world really suffer?