This is the start of what could be a very big holiday season.

More on the retail landscape heading into the holiday season.

Some fear it might be a bit of a bohem or a humbug holiday.

Our expectation is they're going to shop,

especially beginning this weekend in record numbers.

What we're seeing is a very mixed backdrop.

A few retailers are doing better,

but most of them are actually struggling.

I don't think that retail is going to look great by the end of the year.

And happy Thanksgiving Eve, everybody.

And welcome to this CNBC special taking stock.

I am Brian Sullivan. Jim is off tonight.

And tonight it is all about you, the American consumer, the shopper, the diner, the traveler,

maybe even the sports gambler.

You drive more than two thirds of the American economy,

but inflation, it is still stretching your wallet.

This COVID savings and stimulus begins to wear off.

Some are now having to make some more difficult decisions.

So tonight, we've got every angle,

a fight for your dollar covered as we look for investing opportunity.

We head into the holidays and what a lineup we have got for you.

We've got retail legend Mickey Drexler, consumer king,

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