One reliable clue I found over the last few decades as to the real state of the economy:

Watch the supermarket aisle shelf spacing/packing.

In 'good times' they are packed close together - stock holding costs are less than running out of things to sell - in 'bad times' they often take out aisles - trying to reduce stock holding costs. Even works as to the state of those 'little shops' too - less stock -> less cash to tie up in holding costs.