IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

A giant talking Teddy Bear is already greets youngsters at West Park Mall.

Replicas of Santa Clauses of Christmases past can be found in various locations throughout the mall.

Bright red and green decorations can be found in many stores around town, in the Town Plaza area, along Broadway and downtown. Other holiday decorations are not long off.

Christmas holiday parades are on schedule. The annual Christmas Parade of Lights is set for later this month -- Nov. 29 -- for downtown Cape Girardeau, and Christmas Parades are planned for Dec. 5 at Chaffee and Jackson.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Cape Girardeau, and retailers are looking forward to the next 45 days.

The Christmas countdown is on again -- only 45 shopping days and counting.

The nation's retailers are already hearing the jingle of cash registers as shoppers hit their favorite stores in an early start to the holiday shopping season.

With cooler weather, which moved into the area last week, consumers are turning their thoughts to the holiday, say retailers.

All factors point to a big shopping season, despite its earliest start ever. High employment and better pay are seen as positive signs for the holidays. And sales tend to peak in election years, according to the National Retail Federation.

Christmas signs started to appear before Halloween this year.

"We used to plan our Christmas decorations, to be done by Thanksgiving," said Jim Govro, manager of West Park Mall, which has already finished it holiday decorations.

"Our Santas are out, the giant talking bear is ready, and we're seeing people already buying for Christmas," he said. "And, plans are in tact for Santa Claus to arrive here Nov. 21."

Entries for the annual Christmas Parade of Lights are being accepted.

"The parade will be held Nov. 29," said Dennis "Doc" Cain, chairman of the event. "We have about 50 entries, and are looking for more."

As many as 100 lighted entries are expected in the sixth annual parade, which starts about 5 p.m. The parade lines up at Capaha Park, and marches down Broadway to Main.

The parade is held each year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, said Cain.

Merchants and residents along the parade route are asked to decorate with Christmas lights. "This adds to the festivities," said Cain.

Parade float registration and other information is available by calling 334-0954.

The parade is sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association.

Retail sales this year are expected to increase 5 to 6 percent, according to the National Retail Federation.

The majority of merchants close on Thanksgiving Day, but will be ready for the day after, traditionally a big traffic day.

At least two big retailers in Cape Girardeau -- Wal-Mart and Kmart -- will be open Thanksgiving Day.