Retailers Hoping For Gold on Black Friday
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: And retailers hope the revival of the economy will translate into surging holiday sales. Shoppers are already out this morning. And we have two reports now coming in. Jason Carroll is live at Macy's department store in New York. And Kris Osborn is in Chicago, checking out the scene on Michigan Avenue. He is at Nordstrom's. We want to begin with Jason. Hey, this is two guys after my own heart, Jason.</s>JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You want to start with me, huh, Heidi? All right, let's do it. People started lining up here at Macy's even before their doors opened at 6:00 a.m. for the early-bird special. They're doing this all over the country at chains like Sears, Wal-Mart. J.C. Penney is doing the same thing, people coming out to take advantage of the great deals. You've got some people estimating that retail sales will be down. Others are estimating that retail sales will be up. Either way, you've got people who are saying: We don't care. We're going to come out and take advantage of whatever bargains are out there. Joining me right now are two of those people that I came across very early this morning. They are from South Wales. This is Rianna (ph) and Lynn (ph). First of all, I guess a lot of us want to know. I know you had a little bit of Jack Daniel's to drink last night and yet you still got up this morning. Was it worth it?</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, yes. We wanted to save the best for last. And Macy's is the best.</s>CARROLL: Were you able to score some good deals? What did you get? I see you've got your bags here, two big bags full of stuff.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, yes, those bags.</s>CARROLL: What did you get?</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of clothes, perfume, bags.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Cuddly toys.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Cuddly toys, yes.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Loads of clothes for our kids.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lots of clothes.</s>CARROLL: Lots of clothes. And it is worth it, then, coming out for the deals?</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Clothes are very expensive back in the</s>U.K. CARROLL: OK.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So -- and the sales here today were fantastic, 50 percent off. And because we're visitors, we had another 11 percent off.</s>CARROLL: Nice. Nice.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So it was well, well worth it.</s>CARROLL: OK, is Rianna and Lynn, thank you so very, very much for coming to us from South Wales. Did you hear that, Heidi? Fifty percent off. So when you get off out of that set, I think you need to head down here and take advantage of some of these deals -- back to you.</s>COLLINS: Hey, that sounds pretty darn good. Very good. Jason Carroll, I will be out there soon, rain or shine. Kris Osborn now standing by in Chicago, going to give us the very latest from there. Kris, what can you tell us about Chicago and folks there shopping?</s>KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. Good morning to you, Heidi. Well, a lot of business experts cite this very important fact, that consumer spending accounts for about two-thirds of all economic activity. And that is exactly what retailers are hoping for today. I'm holding Andrew Marc. This is a retrofitted flight suit. For $595, anyone can walk out and call this their own. At Nordstrom this morning, they are beginning to prepare for what they hope and expect to be a very, very busy day. They're preparing the product. And it's, of course, as you mentioned, along Chicago's Magnificent Mile, which is a area heavily concentrated with retailers and stores. And to give us some perspective on what people might want to buy, an eternal question, we're joined by Gregg Andrews. Thank you so much, the fashion director here at Nordstrom. Thanks for your time.</s>GREGG ANDREWS, EAST COAST FASHION DIRECTOR, NORDSTROM: Great. Welcome to Nordstrom.</s>OSBORN: So let's start with this. So many guys think, what do girls want? The eternal question, right? We've got some stuff here. What are people buying right now?</s>ANDREWS: Let's -- you can't go wrong if you pick something that's a hot fashion trend for the season. One of the hottest trends of the season is a statement-making handbag, something large, oversized. It's got lots of pattern, lots of detail. Look for names like Lulu Guinness and Isabella Fiore. Jewelry has also made a big return this year. We see it on lots of celebrities. It was all over the red carpet. Chandelier earrings are a must-have for the season. The idea of the right-hand ring is very important. And the great little I.D. bracelet. You buy this little band. Separately, it's $15. And then you buy the charms individually, so you can make a message and spell it anything you want, great gift item.</s>OSBORN: Greg, so helpful, because a lot of guys wind up getting the same candle every year for grandmother or things of that sort.</s>ANDREWS: Exactly.</s>OSBORN: For wife, fiancee, girlfriend, those earrings, that's interesting.</s>ANDREWS: Exactly.</s>OSBORN: What do guys want?</s>ANDREWS: You know what? Strips. Anything with a stripe is really popular this season, so the idea of a striped shirt and striped ties. Men are dressing up again, so a striped shirt and striped tie in combination is a great way to go. A striped sport shirt, excellent way to go. You can wear it under a sweater, wear it under a blazer. Anything striped, as I said, a sweater, a muffler, striped athletic shoes, a warm-up suit with stripes. You can't go wrong with anything with a stripe.</s>OSBORN: This shirt looks really sleek.</s>ANDREWS: Yes.</s>OSBORN: And it looks like it fits well, too.</s>ANDREWS: Yes. And a great thing -- it would be a great addition for New Year's Eve, something perfect for New Year's Eve to wear.</s>OSBORN: Gregg Andrews, fashion director, thank you very much. Stripes are in. I guess that leaves me fashion-challenged. There you go, Heidi.</s>COLLINS: You are out. All right, Kris Osborn, thanks so very much.