In a Harris Interactive (NASDAQ:HPOL) online poll of 2,471 adults conducted Feb. 13-15, 54 percent of the respondents indicated they would cut discretionary spending and 63 percent indicated retailers would have to add an extra incentive -- a coupon or a sale -- for consumers to spend at all.

The poll, sponsored by RetailMeNot, a Web-based coupon supplier, indicated that 86 percent of consumers have used coupons while shopping and 37 percent indicated their use of coupons would rise during a recession.

Women respondents indicated more willingness than men to shifting to coupons or searching out discounts.

A majority or respondents -- 56 percent -- indicated they would look for deals while shopping online or in stores, while a diminished number of shoppers look for deals in direct mail or in outlet malls.

"Retailers have an opportunity to bolster sales and preserve customer loyalty by rewarding savvy shoppers with discounted merchandise," Harris Interactive concluded.