ATTACKS WON'T SPOIL HOLIDAYS SHOPPERS SAY THEY EXPECT TO STAY IN A GIVING MOOD.

Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer

Despite war anxiety and weak economy fears, American consumers plan to spend about the same amount of money shopping this holiday season as last, surveys released Monday show.

Retail sales in the Los Angeles area actually increased in October, and a survey by the Credit Union National Association and the Consumer Federation of America found that shoppers - particularly families and young adults - intend to spend the same amount, more or less, this holiday season by cutting down in other areas if necessary.

``People worry about their jobs, and maybe they don't buy a new car, but they don't cut back on their holiday spending,'' said Bill Hampel, the credit union group's chief economist.

``In a crisis, they want to spend time with their families, and the holiday spending is not dropping like we figured it would.''

Retailers welcomed the survey as a hopeful sign, and a variety of people interviewed in the San Fernando Valley reflected the attitude that it's important to keep up family traditions and to maintain a sense of normalcy during the holidays despite the worries of the day.

``I've got a big family, so I've got to take care of them,'' said Andre Martyros, a Burbank car salesman.

With consumer confidence flagging and security-related jitters making the future uncertain, the 24-year-old isn't panicking. He spent $2,000 on holiday gifts last year and, though the economy looks tighter now, he plans to spend about as much this year.

``I try and cut costs,'' he said. ``So maybe I'll spend a little less on the in-laws, but for everyone else it'll be the same.''

That spells good news for local retail outlets. Though the crucial holiday season is still in its first moments, things are looking good at the Northridge Fashion Center.

``If the first few days of the month are any indication, it looks like things are getting back to normal,'' said Joey Char, the mall's marketing manager. ``All things considered, we're cautiously optimistic. November is starting well, and October ended on a positive note, so things are looking pretty good.''

Brian Derro, an analyst for Countrywide Credit Industries in Calabasas, feels his own job is secure, and he plans to be generous once he hits the stores for holiday shopping.

``My financial situation is the same as last year, and my job's pretty stable, so I don't want whatever else is happening to get in the way of the holidays,'' he said. ``I haven't had to cut down too much, so I'll spend the same this year.''

Mike Hashemi, a Woodland Hills media buyer, said he'd fork over $1,000, the same as he did last year, regardless of talk about an unstable economy.

``There's no need to panic,'' he said. ``I don't see why we should spend less. This hasn't affected my life in any way.''

According to consumer surveys, 57 percent of consumers plan to keep their holiday spending in line with last year's.

Of those surveyed, 28 percent said they are likely to spend less this year - 4 percent more than said so in 2000. Conversely, 13 percent said they will spend more this year, while that's what 18 percent said in 2000.

Hampel said the survey provides a strong indication that holiday retailers might fare better than first expected.

``I think that, of all kinds of spending, holiday spending might be one of those types that people cut back on last,'' he said.

``We've just been hit with a terrible external terrorist threat, so part of this response may be patriotic - to show that we can go out and spend for Christmas, to show that our spirit is indomitable.''

Thus far, retail sales are hovering in positive-growth territory. Check acceptance firm TeleCheck reported same-store sales in Los Angeles were up 2 percent for October. This is significantly above the national average of 1.4 percent, said the Houston-based firm's senior economic adviser, Bill Ford.

``We have an indication that there's quite a bit of shopping going on out there,'' Ford said.

``The employment figures are a little bit rosier than in the rest of the nation. There's some relief from the electricity triple whammy now that fuel's going down, so people have a little bit more change in their pockets to spend.''