breakfast and lunch. now it s time to burn those calories with black friday shopping. but this year, high prices and wavering consumer confidence could throw a wrench into the holiday shopping tradition. that s putting retailers and economists on edge to get a look at what s happening on the ground. let s go to one of the busiest department stores in the united states, cnn s alison kosik is live from the macy s flagship store. it looks like there s no shortage of black shoppers where you are. the crowds are growing as the afternoon goes on. right around here where i m standing at herald square, the iconic macy s department store right behind me, everybody feeling festive. everybody out beginning their holiday shopping because black friday is the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season and the deals and discounts, that s what s expected to really bring out record crowds for this holiday shopping season. just this weekend, meaning the
9:00 a.m. also remember that this holiday shopping tradition will run throughout the entire weekend. small business saturday is expected to draw over 58 million americans to shop in local bookstores, toy sellers, and clothing boutiques as we head into cyber monday and cyber week. now americans have been buying their holiday gifts a lot earlier this year. frontloading their purchases, concerned over supply chain issues and inflation peered october retail sales came in higher for a third straight month and that is despite consumer prices skyrocketing at the fastest pace in over 30 years. americans have been conditioned to grab what they can this year, after being disappointed by notices that have been four times higher than back in 2019. and yes, they are willing to pay more now than risk a higher price later. charles. charles: thank you so much susan. i want to get right into our retail watch. what she makes of this current holiday shopping season. trey, we have been hearing that a wh