This is why I love free market economics: The consumer wins when business competes. Get ready for deals at a number of major retail stores — including North Carolina based Lowe’s — as retailers roll out promotions aimed at attracting spending of the economic stimulus checks. From the CNN story comes an interesting idea to attract a greater piece of the stimulus pie (emphasis is mine):

Lowe’s, the No. 2 home improvement retailer, has kicked off its spring campaign, called “Welcome Back Spring,” about three weeks early this year, getting customers primed to spend that rebate money.

“We want to get people excited about spending this spring and summer,” said Lowe’s spokeswoman Chris Ahearn, adding that the retailer was considering allowing customers to cash their rebate checks in Lowe’s stores.

The story also says retailers anticipate $43 billion of the $106 billion in stimulus money will be spent in the retail sector.