The National Retail Federation reported that around
77.5 million shoppers went to malls in the U.S. on Saturday
and Sunday, compared with 72.5 million during the same
period in '99, according to Renee DeGross of the ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION. This follows Friday's "foot traffic figure"
of 67.6 million, which "matched the busiest day for mall
traffic during all" of '99 (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 11/28).
ONLINE SALES FOR THE QUARTER: Online retail sales
increased 15.3% to $6.4B in the July-September quarter, but
the Commerce Department states the Internet still accounts
for just 0.8% of retail sales (USA TODAY, 11/28).
WHAT'S BEEN HOT? USA TODAY's Chris Jenkins examines
what's hot and what's not among sports e-tailers this
season. Among the best sellers on Fanbuzz.com are team and
player merchandise, "especially fleece pullovers and
jerseys." Fanbuzz CEO Scott Killian said that Bears rookie
LB Brian Urlacher "is becoming the Randy Moss of 2000." But
Killian added that consumers are not buying "heavy team logo
jackets" and the NFL sideline caps, which he calls "kind of
hideous this year" (USA TODAY, 11/28). For more on e-tailers
and sporting goods online, see (#19).
