Overall...we see some winners in the electronics, apparel and footwear categories as retailers kick off fall 2005.

Nobody's really busting the doors down to buy women's apparel this fall selling season. Women's dress and casual footwear is probably the strongest I've seen in a good six or seven years.

Despite media reports about a potentially gloomy holiday season, consumers have proven to be fairly resilient thus far and we have learned not to underestimate their willingness and ability to spend.

The two weak links in the store are apparel and consumer electronics. One could have had a nice nap in the consumer electronics section given the light traffic. Conversely, appliances were buzzing.

I have a tendency to kick it up. I like to rattle the cage.

Apparel overall is showing a mixed picture. There's been a lot of pressure on the apparel side, particularly among specialty retailers, to keep prices down but we think that situation will improve as the year goes on.