(Chicago) According to the 17th annual Deloitte & Touche Holiday Retail Outlook survey, 91 percent of respondents in Chicago plan to spend the same or less this holiday season compared to last. On the brighter side, the poll of nearly 500 people in the Chicago area between November 1 and 5, confirms that despite overall concern about the economy and job security, Chicagoans will open their wallets to spend money close to home. The average amount Chicagoans expect to spend ($1,849) is significantly higher than the national average ($1,625).

(New York) This "Black Friday" (the day after Thanksgiving), more than one in three Americans (35%) plan to shop or browse at stores, malls or on the Web for holiday gift items, according to the 2002 American Express Retail Index on holiday spending.

(Washington) The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that the estimate of U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the third quarter of 2002, not adjusted for seasonal, holiday, and trading-day differences, was $11.061 billion, an increase of 34.3 percent (±4.6%) from the third quarter of 2001. Total retail sales for the third quarter of 2002 were estimated at $827.5 billion, an increase of 5.8 percent (±0.4%) from the same period a year ago.

(Port Washington, NY) What gifts will kids look for this holiday season? What will parents buy for kids as the holiday shopping season heats up? Given the state of the economy, what is the consumer mood in relation to shopping for holiday, and how will that reflect on shopping for kids? NPDFashionworld e-mailed 5000 panelists a special holiday survey during the first week of October 2002 to delve into these questions and more.

(New York) Consumers say that their average household holiday budget will rise 5% this year, according the 2002 American Express Retail Index on holiday shopping, a national consumer poll.

(Dallas) Increased buyer and store attendance, coupled with significant new lines, were evident as buyers from every region of the U.S. and 15 countries shopped at the Dallas Market Center's October Market. Attendance for this year's Market was up--an increase in buyers from Texas and the Southwest and a double-digit increase from the Atlantic region helped lead the strong attendance numbers for this year's Market.

(Milwaukee) Nearly forty million consumers have changed their minds about shopping brands as a result of online information this year, according to a survey of 4,000 U.S. Internet users released by The Dieringer Research Group (DRG), a Milwaukee based market research firm. Sixty percent of online adults whose opinions changed ended up switching brands at purchase, whether they made purchases online or offline, the survey found.

(Princeton, NJ) Although discount stores, specialty shops and the Internet are increasing their share of shoppers' dollars, the traditional department store remains the dominant shopping destination in at least one consumer category: clothing.

(New York) Each season the media looks to the runway shows to get the hot looks, from fashion to beauty, for the upcoming season. However, when it comes to the latest in children's trends and styles, there is no set place for the media to turn.

(White Plains, NY) The global gift industry will convene in New York this winter (February 1-6, 2003), amid a flurry of new trends and exciting products, at the 144th semi-annual New York International Gift Fair. An estimated 60,000 retailers, sales representatives and manufacturers from more than 60 countries will attend, reaffirming the Gift Fair's position as the US gift industry's leading international business and networking opportunity.

(Port Washington, WI) This fall, Elefanten children's shoe retailers helped tots put their best foot forward with the arts by participating in a new charitable initiative called Steps to Art during the back-to-school shopping season. Steps to Art, a collaboration of children's musician Laurie Berkner; Americans for the Arts, the national organization for advancing the arts; and manufacturer Elefanten USA, raised $50,000 to fund preschool arts education programs through the sale of an exclusive CD "Bumblebees & Googleheads: Fun Songs by Laurie Berkner."

(Los Angeles) Sweatshop free T-shirt manufacturer American Apparel is expanding its Classic Baby line of fashionable T-shirts and related apparel after an increased demand for products tailored for infants and kids.