. hi, everyone. welcome to on the money oig. i'm becky quick. giving thanks and shopping. but the way we do that is radically changing. is the brick and mortar retail model broken? she's the yeen queen of suspense p the changes she's seen, the life she's lived and what mary higgins clark thinks of her success. >> i'm constantly surprised. stloo where is your money going some we'll going? we'll have a guide to giving. "on the money" starts right now. now becky quick.

americans plan it shop this weekend. of course how and where we do that keeps changing. americans will do more of their holiday shopping online and at specialty and discounts stores and that leaves questions about the role of the traditional brick and mortar. that's our cover story this week. the holidays are traditionally the season of department stores from the macy's thanksgiving day parade and festive window displays to crowds of shoppers. but the retailer is beginning to see their sales go elsewhere. department stores are expected to see just a 1.2% growth in sales for the fourth quarter of 2015. at the same time, discount online and catalog retailers are expected to have a much larger growth in sales. and americans are increasingly turning away from brick and mortar stores. the average consumer now plans to do 46% of their shopping online. holiday shopping is even going mobile. more than 21% of smartphone other than plan to buy on their devices. but despite all the options,

there may still be a silver lining for department stores. more than 55% of consumers still plan to shop there. hudson bank ceo says retail can't be counted out. >> what you didn't see was an apocalyptic change in the consumer saying we've reached a tipping point where it's all going to the internet. >> the holiday shopping season is well under way. but can department stores get you into the actual store to shop? terry lundgren is macy's chair chairman and ceo. do you think the death of the department store has been greatly exaggerated at this point? >> i sure do. the last five years, my own company has grown by $5 million with 38 less stores than we had five years ago. so i think that's an accurate statement that it's been a grossly exaggerated. and when you saw the traffic at

like macy's herald square, people definitely want to shop on that night and in stores like macy's. so we feel great about what has transpired here. >> so probably fair to say there is a shift. what is macy's doing to capitalize? >> we're the 7th largest internet company retailer in america at this point in time and we're inching towards being sixth by the end of this year. so the online business is a complete strength for macys.com and bloomingdales.com. but i think the way the consumer is shopping is quite different than it was. and that is that consumers starting the journey with their phone, doing their research, coming into the store are and trying on the clothes or touch that handbag or have the makeup applied. they want to make sure they do that, as well. and then they might buy it in

but that's what has changed. but the consumer likes that multidwi multidimensional experience today more so than ever. the stores strong online and strong in store will be the winners of retail in the future. >> you've warned that there are a lot of inventories in your stores this year, that you will be starting big discounts for consumers very early on. but what is your early read on holiday shopping so far? >> well, certainly as you saw third quarter was challenging for us and for other retailers. and i think it's been now documented that november has been the warmest november in the northeast in 251 years. so that's hard on the cold weather goods that we're all trying to sell. but what i was encouraged by was when we had a big event, which was the opening of the holiday shopping season was a great start, great start, not just here, but across the country in our stores. so the traffic was there. people were buying.

and to me, that was important. and they didn't stop shopping online and start shopping in stores. they went back to doing both. and so online continues strong and our store business got strong. and so that is a combination that we obviously need to see here in the final stretch up through christmas of this year. >> how would you gauge the health of the american consumer right now? >> you you know, i have to say that the american consumer seemingly is doing okay. that varies by individual household of course. but you're seeing consumers buying cars, you're seeing consumers do a major home improvement. you're seeing consumers go to restaurants, go he out to dinner. you're seeing certain categories doing quite well.he out to dinner. you're seeing certain categories doing quite well and their savings accounts generally speaking are higher than they were a year ago, but in this general consumers have the money to spend if they choose to do so. last night through right now, through today, is an indication that they seem to be ready to spend in our category and particularly at our company.

>> obviously the macy's thanksgiving day parade was a huge success. this is something that has been a tradition in my house hold and i know in america at large for the last 89 years. but we did see heightened security concerns as we headed into this parade. was there ever a moment that you thought about canceling the parade? >> i've been asked that question a few times. i was asked that question after 9/11, after the financial crisis in 2008. had letters and e-mails and people saying shouldn't you you cancel the parade. and the answer is then as it is now, absolutely not. this is a time when america needs to come together. and what better tradition to come together than over thanksgiving and the macy's thanksgiving day parade. so i felt passionately that this had to be the most inspiring parade and i think we accomplished that. >> i would agree with with you. thank you so much for joining us today. it's always a pleasure talking to you.

have a great weekend. now here is a look at what is making you news as we head into a new week. america's economy is slightly healthier than first thought. second read of the gross domestic product shows an annual growth rate p 2.1%. that was above the initial estimate of 1.5%. inventories and business investment both increased. gdp of course was the broadest measure of the size and scope of the u.s. economy. it was mostly a sideways trading week for stocks here in the holiday shortened week. the dow trading in a fairly narrow range. nasdaq. though the markets are with mixed on friday. sales of new home sales rose in october and the housing market is on track for its best year since 2007. newly built houses were up more than 10%. and mark zuckerberg is about to become a dad and he says he will be taking off for two months when the baby arrives. facebook offers four months of leave, so he may end up taking

more time later on. parental leave is a big topic in silicon valley and zuckerberg maying sending a message that it's okay for new dad to take a chunk of time off. up next, would you pay more to support your local merchants? and how you can give and get in return. as we head to a break, take a look at how the stock market

when you think of the holiday shopping rush, walmarts and amazons of the world likely come to mind, but small businesses are gearing up for big sales, too. kate rogers has more. >> that's right, independent businesses have gotten a nice boost in sales the past few years thanks to small business saturday. exception. it's not black friday or cyber monday that this new jersey based retailer was gearing up for this week, it's small business saturday sandwiched right in between. this shop owner is hoping for big results for her small business. >> it's just a reminder for

everything else that they can shop us. it's helpful to keep in mind that the businesses that have here. >> reporter: this store does about 25% of its annual sales during the holiday season pd a also enlists local vendor ares to make their wares. >> i have 90-year-old women knitting sweaters for us, women in their 80s campaigning for us. we try to keep that local feel and that one of a kind uniqueness there for people. we try to set ourselves apart and shopping local is where you find that. >> reporter: now in its sixth year, small business saturday is designed to encourage shoppers to buy from local retailers. this year three in four consumers helped sponsor american stress they plan to support local retailers during the holiday season. what's more, some 80% say they're willing to pay slightly more for an item if it's purchased from a small independently own retailer

last year consumers spent $14.3 billion on small business saturday according to american express, so independent retailers like this one have high hopes for this year. but small business saturday isn't just limited to traditional retailers. new york city based swerve fitness is also getting in on the action. >> the holiday time is definitely a time where people are looking to get a workout in. there is a lot of eating and celebration that goes on and there is a lot of pre-tox and detox. so we definitely see the studio busy. our goals for participating in small business saturday is really to engage with our community and to raise awareness about how important it is to businesses. >> reporter: whether selling kids' toys or exercise classes, small businesses are united in their message, reminding consumers to shop small this holiday season. and as we said, last year consumers spent $14.3 billion and each year amex has tracked it, sales data has gone up.

>> and how do the merchants sign up for small business saturday? small.com. and they also have what they call neighborhood champions, about 3500 of them this year across the country, and they're enlisted with each signing up about ten other local retailers. so that could be up to 35,000 businesses participating. >> thank you so much. up next, we're "on the money." if clarity is on ire charity is on your mind, how to make sure your money is going where you want to. and later, mary higgins clark had a very different job at a

americans gave away a record pile of cash to charity last year, nearly $360 billion according to the giving usa foundation. this year if you're feeling grateful and want to donate, we will guide you through charitable giving. joining us is sharon epperson on what you need to know about giving because of course it's your money, your future. i think the biggest question people have, how do i know that this charity is legitimate, how can you feel good about that? >> you really want to check ultimate out the charity and of course you want to make sure that it has followed all requirements by the irs, filled out the form 990 that it needs to. you can check out charities on

the irs website at irs.gov, but there are also places to go to to find out exactly how your money is being used, as well. places like guide star, chair rity navigator, great watch dog organizations to find out where the money is going. >> so that it's actually being spent on the causes you you care about and not on administrative fees. >> exactly. gives you a break down to tell you how much is going to address administration, how much to programming. >> where do people tend to donate the most? >> religious organizations. many people at their houses of worship. that's where a third go. but after that, there is a lot that goes to education, human services, health organizations. so there is a wide range and it's a lot of money. >> we talk about this all the time, but what is the average donation? is this coming from really big ticket items or from people who are giving a little bit? >> the idea of tithing, the 10%,

is not really the average. the average is more like 3% that people give for households. but the amount of money is around $3,000, not quite, but around that amount. something. so it can add up. >> this is the time of year when people tend to position about this, not only because it's an important time at the holiday, you start thinking about people who don't have as much and you want to give back, but it's also the end of the tax year, too. >> so you are thinking about making a generous contribution, but also think about the generous tax break that you may be able to get. so you need to make sure that you make that donation by december 31. and you can give a cash contribution, you can give household items. just make sure that you have all the receipts and all the documentation for what you give so that you can write that off on your taxes. make sure that you follow all of those deadlines that you need to. that 3 december 31 is key.

appreciated assets, that's a great way to get a break on your income taxes and not have to pay capital gains tax. >> sharp, on, thank you so much. p next, a look at the news and the queen of suspension, mary higgins clark on the unusual way she writes each new thriller. >>now the final scene

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and you can follow us on twitter @on the money. here are the stories coming up that may impact your money this week. monday is cyber monday. that is one of the biggest online shopping days of the year. on tuesday, we get most of auto sales. also on tuesday, the 60th anniversary of rosa parks refusing to give up her seat on a bus. her act of defiance became a catalyst for the civil rights movement. and the unofficial christmas season begins on wednesday with with the lighting ceremony for the rockefeller christmas tree. on thursday, the ism nonmanufacturing report for november is out. and on friday, we'll be getting the big number of the week, the unemployment report for november. mary higgins clark is the queen of suspense. she's written more than 50 books and sold more than 100 million copies. our latest novel "all dressed in white white" is in stores now. and when we spoke recently, i

>> me, too. i'm constantly surprised. >> but you started writing a little later in life. it wasn't the first thing you were going. you were somebody who had worked for a long series of careers. how can did you pick up writing and get into publishing? >> i've been writing since i was six years old. when i could put two words together, i was writing a poem, i was writing skits for high s for s for my brothers to act in. >> your first book was published when you were in your 30s? >> authority story short stories if my 30s, yes. and then there was no market for short stories. and then i wrote a book about george washington and no one read at that time, but became a best seller after it was reintroduced. i looked at my book shelves and

more than any other subjec and i thought i know why the good and you tors work. and why their stories work. and i thought let's see if i can write a suspense. and that launched me thank heaven.he secret, what do the good and you tore uthors do, what does a good story do? >> a good story always has to keep you involved. woman and something happens. she's not on the wrong side of the town at 4:00 in the morning. something crosses it. and by her own intelligence, she works her way out of it. and that's been the basic thing

>> is that a theme that you relate to? >> i guess i do you because i was a young widow and i had five kids to support. and actually even before that, my father died when i was very young. so i was working my way through school. >> let's talk about that. you've worked your whole life to support your mother, your family, your children along the way. and you've had some pretty interesting jobs along the way. >> telephone operator. good afternoon, and then i'd listen in. there was a lady of the house and i always listened in on her because i loved to hear her make her dates. but then i was a pan am flight hostess and that was extremely glamorous in those days, 1949, 1950. flying was still so new. and i had europe, africa and asia. so for 21 years old to be all over the world this those days was pretty nifty.

>> and you did some modelling with grace kelly, too, didn't you? >> my hand. $5 for doing it. >> publishing has changed a lot. how do you make sure that you you keep adapting and keep staying with it? >> well, the biggest way you adapt is no longer do you get those enormous amounts of money because people aren't reading as much. it's very simple. >> why do you think people are reading less these days? >> well, there is the internet, there is facebook, there is twitter. there are so many diversions. >> obviously you don't have to keep doing this, but you must love it. >> well,what would i do? i mean those i just said i'm retired. and i would go now what do i do. what would i do? i mean those i just said i'm retired. and i love to write. >> so you're working on 52 right now?

"as time goes bayh. ye by. it's about a young reporter searching for her birth matter. >> do you know how things will end? >> you have to know who did it and why. because you must know. i don't know the final scene when i start the first. i have to figure that one out. but people tell me. once i know the people, they tell me where to go now and what's next. i can be writing and someone will say, a character will say, i don't belong in this and i'm getting out. and that's when writing is fun. >> mary, i want to thank you so much for coming in today. it's been a pleasure meeting you. >> well, thank you. it's lovely to be here with you. that's the show for today. i'm becky quick. thank you so much for joining me. next week, now that you've taken some new family photos over the holidays we hope, we'll show you the best way to store those right rest priceless pictures.