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Dorothy Lakner, Caris & Company retail analyst, breaks down the highs and lows of this holiday retail season.
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3% gain and with just two weeks now left -- holiday shopping will we see December sales rise even more.
-- lack their retail analyst for some company joins us now -- to welcome to you thanks for having.
I think the burning question is the impact of hurricane sandy -- thank.
Well I think there were still impact in the month of November because after all people -- without power in this the New York area for.
Much longer than just the final week of October so between that and and I think carry over for the entire holiday season and it's it's -- you.
But told the tough in the northeast from from that perspective absolutely but the follow what is what about the money spent on the rebuilding effort right.
The extra gas a right I mean there's there is there's that positive aspect to it as well -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- out bad but I think you know in terms.
Christmas shopping for example.
The number so far looks look pretty good the traffic to us looks pretty good that we see in the malls even during this period when normally there's there's quite.
A lull going on after the frenzy of Black Friday pretty good is a good way to characterize it because even as sales rose in November it wasn't by as much as the economists were looking for they're looking for another two tenths -- percent -- What do you think happened.
Well I think we're we're seeing if -- and it's getting increasingly spread out over time certainly Black Friday almost covered the entire month of November.
Cyber Monday has become cyber week and I think what we're seeing is just this extension of the whole period in addition.
There were people that actually -- as early as October I would be one of them -- -- -- That's that's really stretching the seasonality and need it for craft their heart what -- people buying in November what -- the hottest selling items well I think I think apparel -- really quite well and there's no hot item in particular I think.
What we've seen is that did there's been this color phenomenon going on and I think the colorful colorful -- if you will of the stores.
And of the apparel it's that then there is has been pretty attractive and even sweaters.
An item that hasn't been very popular I think have had done pretty well again because of the color I have to ask you about the impact of gas prices because we did in November C -- 4% decline.
A gas station receipts now.
That does hurt the bigger spending picture but.
Overall -- be good for the economy at least freeing up more dollars for consumers to spend on these items -- talking about yes exactly we've seen a nice pullback they are so I think that puts more money in consumers' pockets and more money for them to spend.
On holiday shopping and one quick comment on what you expect the fourth quarter with the holiday season will be better.
Or worse than last year.
I think -- again I'd I'd use the words pretty good solid.
We we're up against two really good years actually for holiday spending so if we do.
Just solid I think would be a good performance this year -- -- and it's wonderful to see you and share your insight thank you so much thanks.
