Where are the Crowds?

With Christmas only a few days away, I've yet to see many jam packed stores. Even at the St. John's Town Center, Jacksonville's newest and most high end shopping mecca, the crowds appear light. Of course it is possible that some of the new stores are just too high end for this town's red neck roots. But even the essentials like Apple and Target have been rather quiet.

If the Jacksonville retail activity is even remotely indicative of the national trends, the holiday earnings will be quite gloomy. Maybe now is a good time to start hoarding the cash.

Then again, maybe it's the balmy weather. With sunny skies and temperatures in the 60's, it just doesn't feel like Christmas.