Neil Cavuto, November 29, 2003:

Now that we’ve eaten turkey, I want to talk turkey. I want to talk holiday spending. I want to talk big holiday spending. Because, mark my words and save this column, holiday sales are going to be huge. Huge.

Why?

Because contrary to media reports, most of us are still bummed out. I think we’re ready to bust out, and we’re going to be busting out in malls and stores across this country these next four weeks or so. […]

We’re already seeing anecdotal evidence of this from a variety of retailers. Wal-Mart is reporting increased volume in its toy department. Best Buy is seeing it among all its electronic items. And Macy’s is seeing it in women’s perfume. Even I’m smelling the scent. It’s that of a consumer not only willing to dip his or her foot in the water, but do a cannonball splash as well!

I hear some economists have conservatively predicted holiday sales gains about 3 percent ahead of last year. I think they’re being positively Scroogian. I think they’ll be at least triple that. You heard me right. I’m predicting holiday sales this season will be 8 to 9 percent better. That’s right . . . up to 9 percent better than last year! [Emphasis added]

Meanwhile, on planet Earth:

Wal-Mart December sales weak
No. 1 retailer says weekend showed progress but still sees month’s sales at low end of forecasts.

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Monday said sales improved last weekend, which is typically the biggest shopping period of the year, but it was not enough to make up for a sluggish start to December.

The world’s biggest retailer said it still expects December sales at its U.S. stores open at least a year to reach the lower end of its forecast for a 3 percent to 5 percent gain.

[Emphasis added]

If you can’t rely on Neil, what is the world coming to???……………..