What's hot with shoppers? Practical gifts
Practical is the premise when it comes to holiday shopping this holiday season.
With less than two weeks until Christmas, many consumers are buying useful gifts -- from sweaters to small kitchen appliances, retail experts say. It appears that so far this is not the year for fancy jewelry or extravagance.
"I think people are buying practical gifts and apparel," said Anne Brouwer, senior partner at McMillan Doolittle retail consulting firm in Chicago. "We're seeing a lot of practicality in the way people are shopping," she added.
Experts believe that the weak economy has forced many people to delay buying that new winter jacket or pair of gloves. These items are now making their way onto their holiday wish list. There is some pent-up demand out there.
"People are clearly replenishing and asking for the things they have put off buying," Brouwer said.
Marc Strich, general manager of Woodfield Shopping Center, agrees.
"People aren't afraid to buy belts and accessories." Back to basics seems to be the motto this year when it comes to shopping, he added. Sweaters, outerwear, boots and casual apparel have been hot sellers at the Schaumburg mall.
Similarly, sweaters, hats, gloves and other winter weather accessories have been hot sellers at Kohl's stores in the suburbs, according to spokeswoman Cindy Hofer.
The other strong area this season is electronics, especially when there is a bargain associated with the item, experts say.
"Observing Black Friday, people were jumping on the deals in consumer electronics," Brouwer said. She found that housewares and small electronics were other popular areas.
Lower priced notebook computers, GPS systems and video games have top picks for many area shoppers. In fact, in a survey of 400 mall Santas across the country, video games were the number one pick for both boys and girls, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.
And like last year, shoppers are looking for bargains. Consumers continue to swarm retailers with discounts while crowds at high-end stores are observed to be thinner.
A study of 8,431 shoppers by the National Retail Federation concluded that 84 percent of consumers will spend less this year, with the average shopper spending $682, down from $763 in 2007.
For many, however, this average is far beyond their reach. Discounts are driving many shoppers.
And retailers offering slashed prices came out stronger in November.
Old Navy and Gymboree were two of the retailers that saw huge crowds on the Black Friday weekend, Brouwer said. "People are buying clothes for their kids. I couldn't believe the lines at Old Navy. They had some sharp discounts running," Brouwer added.
Like many suburban shoppers, Hawthorn Woods mom Susan Vrenios looks for sales. She said clothes are one of the only things she has purchased this season. Daughter Sarah, a freshman in college, only wanted clothes for Christmas. The mother of five children added that she is not close to finishing her shopping, but that clothes will most likely be a big item for her other children as well.