joining me now is gerald storch, the ceo of storch advisers, the former chairman and ceo of toys "r" vice chairman of target. you could say that gerald knows a thing or two about the retail landscape, which is the reason why you're joining us. thank you very much for being here on this day before thanksgiving, gerald i wonder, just an open ended question for you right now is retail in a good >> unfortunately, i don't think so you have seen consumers badly stretched by inflation the spending is focused on necessities as opposed to discretionary items. there is a lot of talk last month, consume irr sales was supposed to be great you look at what categories grew, it was the things that they would have to buy with a double digit increase in food and gasoline still so the consumer is very, very stretched, savings is running out. generally, very optimistic and huge fan of the american consumer i think this will be a so-so christmas at best. >> so, we have seen a number of these earnings reports over the last couple of weeks i know you followed them as well it has been a mixed picture. but

gerald storch saying holiday season sales so so and we always appreciate it, gerald. >> my pleasure.o to amazon. thank you. warehouse workers across the world with that company staging protest today to demand better wages and conditions. amazon issue #-d a statement in re-stond -- issued a statement saying "these groups represent a variety of interest and we're not perfect in any area, if you objectively look at what amazon is doing on important matters, you'll see we take our role and impact very seriously. that's from amazon. by the way, strikes are set to go on in over 40 countries today. it's widespread for sure. take a look at anyo nintendo. the company announcing newest pokemon game set record sales for any game released. new games exclusive to the nintendo switch surpassed 10 million units sold in the first three days after it launched. clearly very popular. all right, take a look at those numbers. the dow barely trying to stay in positive territory and hasn't. all three indexes barely lower and see what happens at the opening bell, which by the way is coming up next. ♪ ashley

jackie: let's bring in former toys "r quote us ceo and advisor founder and ceo gerald storch, great to see you. let's talk about what the rail strike would mean for shoppers as we head into the holiday season, seems to me supply-chain issues would get worse, not better. >> it would be bad and better not happen, so first of all, isn't debt that will ruin christmas in the since the christmas presents won't happen, it is too late for retailers on trains and store shelves in times for christmas, not going to affect your ability to affect toys for johnny or the sweater you're going to get. a lot of products will be affected rapidly including food that could affect your christmas dinner. it won't affect your present but could affect food very rapidly, so much feed for the animals by rail as well. the things we use every day, your automobile industry, very bad for the supply-chain, very bad for inflation, just reignite the fire in the supply-chain. jackie: the administration put together a tentative deal where they appointed a committee to put together a tentative deal, the thing that is at i