3 Trends for the holidays
Sure, in the world of toys, anything "Star Wars" is faring well as well as a slew of robotic pets like robotic toy bears from Mattel's Fisher-Price and an interactive unicorn from Hasbro.
In fashion, jeans are making a comeback this holiday season, which should help perk up teen retailers' business, and athletic-inspired clothing like yoga pants remain popular.
Unseasonably cool weather and a shift in changing shopping habits toward experiences like spas have limited shoppers' appetite for such clothing.
Tom Clarke, managing director at AlixPartners and co-head of the retail practice, expects retailers will step up discounting this weekend beyond what's planned to take advantage of the crowds in the stores.
[...] fourth-quarter profits are expected to be up 1.