in major shopping centres like chermside you'd never visually see or feel the reccession walking around on a saturday or even weekday, the place would still packed. some people go to places like that just to hangout and get out of the house (sad i know) but it'd be showing up in the turnover numbers. the smaller shopping centres i'm definately noticing less people. 2 years ago my local surf club would be packed with tradies every afternoon having beers between 4-6pm, the last 6 months, only 3 or 4 people. totally empty everytime i'm there.
double bay in sydney during the 91-92 recession had shops opening and closing within months, people go out for a walk, maybe a coffee but certainly not handing over hundreds in shops for stuff they dont really need.
8-9% unemployment and the "for lease" signs will really start popping up
