LIU‘E — You could’ve heard a pin drop inside Macy’s Tuesday afternoon. Nobody was stirring, except for retail clerks working like diligent elves, arranging new merchandise among glitter and red ribbon in preparation for Black Friday, the biggest and most
LIU‘E — You could’ve heard a pin drop inside Macy’s Tuesday afternoon.
Nobody was stirring, except for retail clerks working like diligent elves, arranging new merchandise among glitter and red ribbon in preparation for Black Friday, the biggest and most important shopping day of the year.
Perhaps in anticipation of deep discounts, consumers held back a bit this week, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index. Sales fell close to 1 percent for the week and are down nearly 3 percent compared to the same period last year.
The new store manager at Macy’s in Lihu‘e said corporate rules do not allow him to comment on his expectations for this season, but he did offer that the store will be doing more hiring before Christmas.
Weekly reports by the ICSC trade association provide some insight on sales and forecasts this holiday season, as well a top gifts and latest trends guide.
ICSC predicts moderately healthy gains for retailers this holiday season, “though somewhat subdued relative to its prior year’s pace.” Shopping center sales are expected to increase 2.2 percent during November and December, compared to the same period last year. In 2010, gains were 5 percent.
ICSC also predicts a 12 percent increase in seasonal hiring growth. Seasonal hiring is often intertwined with a company’s financial health, the report states, and is important not only for the economy but for the retail sales performance.
Speaking of sales, clerks at Macy’s say you don’t necessarily have to shop on Black Friday to get Black Friday discounts. Just bring in your receipt within 14 days of purchase and the store will refund you difference between what you paid and the lowest available price.
Just the facts, ma’am
Here are some interesting facts, figures and estimations from an ICSC survey of shopping centers:
• 34 percent of consumers will shop the day after Thanksgiving, up from 31 percent in 2010
• All centers surveyed said it will offer extended operating hours during the 2011 holiday season starting on or after Black Friday.
• The most frequent denomination of gift cards sold in 2010 were between $25 and $30, according to less than half of the centers surveyed.
• 74 percent of all malls surveyed spend $20,000 or more on decorations for the holidays, and 26 percent will spend $10,000 or less.
• 98 percent of centers typically start decorating for the holiday season during the first week of November.
• 98 percent of centers surveyed said they will offer special amenities for holiday shoppers, such as gift wrap stations, valet parking, refreshments, and promotional gift cards with purchase.
• All centers will engage in a philanthropic campaign to raise money or merchandise for the holidays this year, such as entertainment concerts, toy drives, tree lighting, giving trees, benefit walks, food drives and clothing drives.
• Santa typically makes his “first appearance” in 75 percent of centers during the second week of November.
• Jingle Bells is the most popular holiday song played in 98 percent of the centers
• 56 percent of centers believe foot traffic will increase during this holiday season compared to last year.
For those who want to be the first inside Macy’s on Black Friday, plan on being outside door before midnight on Thanksgiving. Black Friday hours are midnight to 10 p.m. Starbucks will be open 3 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visit holiday.icsc.org for more information.
This season’s hottest gifts
TOYS
• Angry Birds Knock on Wood Game
Mattel/ages 5 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $14.99
• Beyblade: Metal Fusion
Hasbro/ages 8 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $24
• Big Action Construction Site
Fisher Price/ages 2.5 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $59.99
• DaGeDar
Cepia/ages 5 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $4.99
• FyrFlyz
i-Star Entertainment/ages 8 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $10
• Hot Wheels Wall Tracks
Mattel/ ages 4 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $17.99
• InnoTab
Vtech/ages 4 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $79.99
• Lalaloopsy Silly Hair Jewel Sparkles
MGA Entertainment/ ages 4 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $34.99
• Lazer Stunt Chaser Dragon Fire
Thinkway Toys/ages 4 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $39.99
• LeapPad Explorer
LeapFrog/ages 4 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $99.99
• LEGO Alien Conquest
LEGO/ages 7 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $29.99
• LEGO Ninjago
LEGO/ages 8 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $69.99
• Lite Sprites
WowWee/ages 4 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $29.99
• The Logo Board Game
Spin Master/ages 12 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $24.99
• Monster High Dead Tired
Mattel/ages 6 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $11.99
• Nerf Vortex
Hasbro/ages 8 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $9.99
• Redakai
Spin Master/ages 6 & up
Approx. Retail Price: $12.99
• Spy Net Stealth Video Glasses
Jakks Pacific/ages 8 & up
Approx. Retail Price: $39.99
• 3D BreakThrough Puzzle – Classic Mickey Mouse
MEGA Brands/ages 8 years & up
Approx. Retail Price: $19.99
ELECTRONICS
Phones:
• iPhone 4S
• EVO 3D Smart Phone
• Galaxy S II Epic 4G
• Droid Bionic 4G Black Smartphone
Digital Cameras:
• Canon EOS Rebel T3i Black SLR Digital Camera Kit w/18-55mm Lens
• Nikon Coolpix L120 Black Digital Camera
• Canon PowerShot S95 Black Digital Camera
• Samsung SH100 Red Digital Camera (14MP, 5x Opt, microSD Slot, Wi-Fi)
MP3 Players:
• iPod Touch 8 GB White 4th Generation
• Sansa Fuze 8GB Black MP3 Player
• iPod shuffle 4th Generation 2GB Blue MP3 Player
• iPod nano 6th Generation 8GB Silver MP3 Player
Televisions:
• Sony BRAVIA KDL-32EX720 32” 3D LED TV
• Panasonic Viera TC-P60ST30 60” 3D Plasma TV
• LG 55LW6500 55” 1080p LED TV with 240 Hz
• Samsung UN55D6300 55” LED TV (1920×1080, 120Hz, HDTV, LED Edgelight)
Gaming Consuls:
• PlayStation 3 Slim Black 160GB Console
• Xbox 360 Black 4GB Console
• Nintendo Wii Console
Video Games:
• Battlefield 3 – Limited Edition (PS3)
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Xbox 360)
• Batman: Arkham City (PS3, 3D)
• The Sims 3: Pets (PC/Mac)
Other:
• iPad 2 16 GB
• MacBook Air 11.6” Silver Netbook
• Kindle Fire
• Kindle 6”
Source: timetoplay.com, Yahoo
This season’s hottest trends
APPAREL & ACCESSORIES
• Shape Shifters: Clothing that changes the silhouette, creating movement away from the body, changes a person’s natural shape
• Soft Top: Sheer fabrics, flows softly, easy to wear
• Palazzo Pants: Long, loose, wide-cut pants
• Tuxedo Jackets: Sporty, dressy, men’s wear for women
• Razzle Dazzle: Sequins, sequins and more sequins, sequins accents and jeweled accessories
• Costume Jewelry: Big gems, oversized earrings and bangle bracelets
• Color Comeback: Bright colors, previous trend of mixing black with a color but now a new trend of color on color, various fabric types coming in bright colors and even colored furs
• Warm & Fuzzy: Big bulky sweaters, sweater wardrobe- dresses, skirts and shirts
• Fur for All: Fake fur, real fur, fur accents, fur vests, fur handbags and fur shrugs
• Animal Magnetism: Animal print, especially zebra and leopard accents, animal print on shoes, dresses, and shirts, feather accents and feather earrings
• Handcraft: Accessory items that look like they are homemade
• Personalization: D.I.Y kits, creating unique designs with make-up and nail polish, monogramming accessory items
such as watches and sneakers
• Nordi: Nordic/artic patterned sweaters, knits and dresses
• Travel: Bright-colored luggage, pocket-sized technology ‘toys,’ such as pocket translators or alarm clocks
• Tech Apparel: High-performance fabrics, lightweight and multipurpose clothing
• Label Handbags: Handbags with a ‘status’ label, well known and easily recognizable name brands
• Winter Warmers: Plush slippers, mufflers, ski hats, boots, comfortable and warm lounge wear
• Watches: Coordinating a watch with every outfit, watch cuff links, bright-colored watch faces and bands
• Wear Now: Apparel that can be worn right away, more practical, in-season apparel, less ‘gifty’ items, more practical items that can be used everyday
Source: The Doneger Group
