"Recesson commuter special." Photo: Ed Yourdon (flickr)

Despite the gloom-and-doom media coverage of the recession, certain industries are still doing well or even thriving. For example, discount retail stores like the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar have significantly benefited from the economic downturn, doing strong business with bargain-hunting shoppers feeling the pressure from these cash-strapped times. Dollar Tree has recently seen a 60-percent gain in its shares — an impressive 6.8 percent gain from last year’s — with its fourth quarter earnings reaching $1.39 billion.

Other lower-priced retailers are finding similar success: Wal-Mart is doing extraordinarily well, particularly with rising sales of frozen food and food storage items. In comparison, higher-end stores like Macy's, Abercrombie & Fitch and JC Penney continue to suffer big drops in retail spending by consumers. Wal-Mart's success is a good example of how people's lifestyle changes are influencing their purchases, as more people choose to stay at home rather than go out to eat at restaurants — with the notable exception of McDonald's — and limit their shopping to what they need rather than what they want.

Small-scale businesses and entrepreneurs are also doing well. The New York Times reports that certain niche manufacturers are still doing good business, as the demand for specialized products, such as body armor for soldiers in Iraq or high-end audio speakers, is still strong.

The New York Times also reports that some small-business entrepreneurs are going strong, particularly in the health care industry. MEDILINQ, a company that negotiates discounted medical care for its low-income clients, reports great business this year. As one staffer remarked: “We’re looking at having a big year this year. Economic hard times are good opportunities for us.”

Other seemingly recession-proof industries include video games and condoms, all inexpensive ways to stay entertained at home. And, despite a move away from pricier restaurants and high-dollar date nights, dive bars and movie theaters are still going strong.

As the recession continues and new unemployment claims continue to rise, it should be interesting to see which industries continue to thrive with a growing population of increasingly-selective consumers.