We've come across two articles this morning discussing how retailers will have huge sales this month to lessen the impact of what might be one of the worst holiday seasons ever. A shocker. We know.In both reports, analysts are saying that the likelihood is dim that these discounts will improve the retail landscape. More store closures and bankruptcies are forecast."I'm not optimistic," Michael Niemira, the International Council of Shopping Centers' chief economist told the Detroit News. Well, few people are nowadays.But the article did have one bright spot. Apparently, sales at Mall of America were up 2% this year.Will discounts by the major chains bring similar results and give companies a boost? Or is discounting a bad idea that can only hurt margins?