It's certainly a boon to the luxury business. That exclusivity has made more people willing to pay full price for merchandise the moment they think they can get it, which has helped the bottom line.
Some of the names that fit into that context actually names like The Gap ( GPS : Research , Estimates ). Basic items like jeans and khakis, people certainly going there on a repeat basis.
With Christmas coming on a Sunday, most people feel they can procrastinate a little bit longer because they have until Saturday to finish up their holiday shopping.