ADVISORY/Chicago Holiday Shopping Season Opens Mixed; Will Cash Registers Start Ringing? Deloitte Experts Available to Discuss Retail Sales Outlook Through Year-End.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT: Post-Thanksgiving retail sales were mixed across the Chicago
      area, as consumers remained cautious about spending. But
      according to Deloitte's 18th Annual Holiday Retail Outlook,
      Chicagoans say they intend to open their wallets this holiday
      season. Will retailers have a merry Christmas after all?

WHO:  Deloitte consumer business experts are available for in-studio,
      phone or man-on-the street interviews throughout the holiday
      shopping season. They can address such questions as:

      --  How have retailers fared so far and compared to last year?

      --  Who are the winners and losers?

      --  What items are flying off the shelves?

      --  Are online sales meeting expectations?

      --  What kinds of pre-Christmas discounts can shoppers expect?

      --  Are people spending more on others or themselves?

WHY:  Despite the situation in Iraq and lingering concerns about job
      security, Chicagoans report that they are starting to feel
      better about their financial future. For the first time since
      2001, a larger percentage say they are willing to spend more
      this year than they did the prior year. Will Chicago shoppers
      fulfill their spending plans?

      --  Chicago shoppers plan to spend 9 percent more this holiday
          season than last. On average, they expect to shell out
          $2,173, significantly more than national average of $1,803.

      --  A full 67 percent of Chicagoans say they will spend the same
          or more than last year. However, they expect to spend only
          $570 on gifts for others, a seven percent drop from 2002.