. >> if you are looking for the start of the uniqlo line. it's at 51st street and 6th avenue. >> reporter: long lines are a retailers dream. but don't expect this to be the norm this holiday season. today just happens to be the opening of the new uniqlo flagship store. on the whole, retail sales are expected to be lackluster this holiday season analyst john long says there's no way retailer's will beat last year's 5% increase. >> we expect that we're going to see, probably add 2% overall for holiday this year. >> reporter: many shoppers are reigning in spending, due to stock market volatility, a slowing economy and high unemployment. today's michigan consumer sentiment survey, fell to a three-decade low, another indication of americans' sour mood. >> but what shoppers say and what they do are often two different things. in many cases, people know they need to spend less. but they just can't help themselves. >> reporter: and because many people have been scrimping this year on big ticket purchases, retailers hope they'll be more comfortable s

but uniqlo hopes to increase it four-foured.ess than to be the largest colonialing retailer in the world by decade's end. >> our chairman has said he would like to be $50 billion in sales by the year 2020 and 10 billion of which is to be here in the united states. >> reporter: a lofty goal for an apparel company that sold exactly that amount globally last year. >> when you think of $50 billion you can think of best buy which is a 50 diagonal company or home depot or lowes. >> reporter: gap, the largest clothier in the u.s., has repeatedly closed nearly 200 stores, which may be just the opening uniqlo needs to get a foothold on their way to dominance in the american market. >> if it is a statement of our intention to revolutionize retailing in the united states. >> reporter: debbye turner bell, cbs news, new york. >> uniqlo plans to open third store here next week in new york. >> you've never been? >> i never been and why i called it uniqlo but now i will go. >> you said you were going to go? >> why not check it out? >> it might