Has anyone here been around a shopping mall this weekend?

[TomInTib]

Not one of those Outlet things, or a center anchored by some discount chain, but a real mall with upscale retailers and specialty shops.

Our little Town is certainly no indicator of retail traffic, and I am curious as to what - if anything - is going on in the real world of retail sales.

[Madam Mossfern]

1. I just popped in to one store in a mall to return something

So I didn't really see what was going on, but I can certainly say that the parking lot was crowded and there were lots of people in the store I went into. I just got my credit and got out. Don't like malls, don't like crowds.

One pet peeve. When a person knows that you are waiting for their parking spot, why do they have to fix their make-up, make a call on their cell and delay for a gazillion years. When I know that someone is waiting, I try to free up the spot quickly.

[shanti]

2. hell no

couldn't drag me into one this time of year, even if it wasn't raining!

[TahitiNut]

3. JCPenny - yesterday late afternoon - 60% off everything - lines at cashier - NOT armloads

So, folks were bargain shopping but weren't splurging.

[DonEBrook]

4. I didn't go in but driving past a big mall saw that the parking lot was nearly full.

Possibly window shoppers looking for bargains...

[FloridaJudy]

5. Haven't been to a Mall in years.

Last time I went I wound up hyperventilating with my head between my knees. I think Security probably thought I was having a psychotic break because I kept whimpering about "Hungry Ghosts", and the staff eyed me with great suspicion. Hey, I'm probably as guilty of greed as anyone else, but an entire Cathedral to it overwhelms my Buddhist sensibilities.

I must say that the traffic is horrendously heavy and the parking lots look full whenever I drive by one, though.

[elfin]

6. Going tomorrow

to fill out the list.

Did most online to get free shipping, which paid for gift wrap and no hassle at the Post Office and no gas and time expended.

Everything I need will be there - I ordered the "in demand" items earlier. I HATE crowds and iffy parking.

[SeattleGirl]

7. I went yesterday.

Took awhile to find a parking spot; finally found one about as far from the mall as you could get.

Lots of people in the stores, lots of buying going on. Lots of great bargains, too.

[Adsos Letter]

8. My daughter works at a Burberry's...

their business is down a bit, but not much...on the other hand, many of their customers are foreign tourists.

I know that on "Black Friday" she sold about $60,000, as did most of the other salespeople...but that was down from about the $80,000 the store manager expected, per person.

[Synicus Maximus]

9. I didn't go in

But I drove by four this weekend and the parking lots at all of them were packed.

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. No.

I avoid those places. Any time of year.

[MiniMe]

11. Drove by one this afternoon, it was packed

Of course, it was in Bethesda, Maryland, a wealthy suburb of Washington, DC