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

Business Editors

ADVISORY...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT: Post-Thanksgiving retail sales were mixed across the Twin Cities
      area, as consumers remained cautious about spending. According
      to Deloitte's 18th Annual Holiday Retail Outlook, Twin City
      shoppers are planning to buy more gifts but spend less this
      holiday season. What does this mean for retailers, and will the
      slow start leave them feeling like they've received a lump of
      coal in their stocking?

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

      --  Why are Minnesotans planning to buy more gifts yet spend
          less this year?

      --  Who are the retail 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:  With the holiday shopping season in full swing, sources can
      discuss what Minneapolis/St. Paul consumers are likely to
      spend--and how retailers will come out in the end.

      --  Minnesota shoppers report that they intend to buy 17 percent
          more gifts than last year, although they plan to spend 11
          percent less on them, or $454 on average compared to $508 in
          2002.

      --  Twin Cities consumers appear to be very focused on
          celebrating close to home with friends and family, with
          spending on entertaining at home expected to rise 10 percent
          to $171.