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CNN Saturday Morning News

Patriotism Brings in Bucks for Retailers

Aired November 10, 2001 - 10:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Retailers...

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: They are riding a wave of patriotism as they head into what promises to be a sluggish holiday selling season.

PHILLIPS: CNN's Anne McDermott has the story of red, white, blue and green.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNE MCDERMOTT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You want flags? We got flags. Get them in person. Get them on the Net. This company sold a million bucks worth in a single week. Patriotism sells. You got your hard sell.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yours for only $39.95.

MCDERMOTT: You got your soft sell. What are they selling? Why, the New York Stock Exchange of course. But check out this Los Angeles supermarket. The flag bags are free. Ditto at the dry cleaners.

MIKE AZADEH, DR. J'S CLEANERS: Customers love it and that, you know, feeling and that smile on their face makes me happy.

MCDERMOTT: Happy isn't the operative word for some retailers. And most offers are noxious enough, it's just that it's everywhere. And so it was, well, about 60 years ago, back in the days when Pontiac sold patriotism when people were told to buy juice with victory vitamin C and women were told they'd be so happy when their fighting man finally came home, that they'd run right out and buy some silverware.

PROFESSOR FRANKLIN MITCHELL, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: It was up pawn, as a way to show your unity with those that have been separated from loved ones on the home front.

MCDERMOTT: Also on the home front, celebrity sales pitches.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Buy, buy, Boz.

MCDERMOTT: Back then, Dirk Bengal (ph) sold Boz. Today, the Beatles sell charity.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm talking about freedom.

MCDERMOTT: And retailers keep pushing patriotism, but they're just giving the people what they want and who knows, maybe patriotic theme displays like this one at Bloomingdale's will help what is otherwise expected to be a rather dismal shopping season. Sure, some stuff is a bit over the top. Fortunately, Halloween is over, but now, make way for a red, white and blue Yule.

Anne McDermott, CNN, Los Angeles.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

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