J.C. Penney turns to nostalgia
The department store chain's new Manhattan location showcases what it calls "Red Box" gifts, which focus on home and nostalgia.
Highlighted items include $129 Lionel battery-powered train sets; $39.99 Lincoln Logs Commemorative editions; $89.99 turntables and $149 popcorn makers.
New this holiday are stocking stuffers like colorful water bottles and miniature puzzles under the Red Box banner. In home entertainment, Penney is pushing its store brand called Cooks, particularly its three-section buffet warmer.
The item has been discounted to $39.99, from $59.99. As for festive wear for girls, Penney is offering traditional party dresses in tartan plaid or velvet that are marked down 50 percent.
Overall in apparel, there's a heavy emphasis on red and black as well as animal prints. And Penney hopes to attract new shoppers with a growing portfolio of exclusive brands that now include Allen B. by Allen B. Schwartz and I Heart Ronson By Charlotte Ronson.
_ Anne D'Innocenzio
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Dressing down at Saks Fifth Avenue
The luxury retailer's holiday assortments seem to tap into the new mindset of the affluent shopper, who is scrutinizing prices, going to fewer extravagant parties and looking back to better times for comfort.
In a walkthrough at the New York flagship's special-occasion departments, both top designer names like Oscar de la Renta and more moderate offerings from such labels as ABS emphasize short dresses, instead of the elaborate evening gowns pushed in years past. The designs are in mostly solid classic colors including red, black and turquoise.
As for holiday decor, Saks still heavily promotes its Christopher Radko collection of ornaments, but this season it's prominently featuring a new line of simple ball ornaments under its store brand, which cost from $8 to $30. In comparison, the average price for Christopher Radko's designs are $55.
_ Anne D'Innocenzio
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Home Depot goes back to basics
Home Depot is devoting about the same floor space to holiday merchandise as last year, but it has expanded some categories _ such as LED lights, which use less electricity, are brighter and last longer than traditional lights and cut back on less traditional offerings like pink and purple ornaments.
At the front of the store is a display with artificial trees, including a 7.5-foot artificial tree for $79.97. Candles with scents including "Sugar Cookie" go for $7.98. Natural grapevine wreath and reindeer are also on display in the front of the store; they retail for about $19.98.
In Home Depot's bigger holiday section deeper within the store, there is a large display of lights, including icicles, snowflakes and spheres as well as more typical sizes. In keeping with the traditional focus, there is a train that nestles within a tree for $27.98. But there also are more offbeat options, like a boot-shaped shimmery Elvis stocking for $19.98.
_ Mae Anderson
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Around the mall
So far, food-centric Williams-Sonoma Inc. remains focused on Thanksgiving, its windows crowded with roasting pans, thermometers, gravy bowls, traditional serving platters and signs that promise "The Perfect Thanksgiving."
Pumpkin pancake mix lines the shelves, but hints of Christmas are nearby: a rival Eggnog pancake mix and red and white tins of peppermint treats.
At Macy's, stacks of shiny red-wrapped gifts greet customers at the entrance and top fixtures throughout the store. Signs encouraging shoppers to "Be Santa" hang over displays of purses. And holiday gift packs of fragrances, jewelry and food _ like candy cane-flavored Frango candies _ are ready.
Some stores are taking a more holiday-neutral approach, like Gap Kids which advertised "Snow Day, Play Day" in its windows to promote new winter items.
And Eddie Bauer stores suggested shoppers "Give Down and be the Hottest Santa in Town" for a limited-time deal on down products.
_ Sarah Skidmore
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
