3 trends for the holidays

The holiday season is upon us. Here’s what shoppers can expect if they’re heading out to stores at any point during the holiday shopping season:

NO FIGHTING OVER MUST-HAVE GIFTS

Yet again, trend experts say there’s no single item that’s emerging as a must-have for the holiday season.

Sure, in the world of toys, anything “Star Wars” is faring well as well as a slew of robotic pets like robotic toy bears from Mattel’s Fisher-Price and an interactive unicorn from Hasbro. But there’s no runaway hit.

In fashion, jeans are making a comeback this holiday season, which should help perk up teen retailers’ business, and athletic-inspired clothing like yoga pants remain popular. But overall, there’s nothing that’s making shoppers run to stores.

“You have a democratic influence. Nobody dictates trends,” said William Taubman, chief operating officer at Taubman Centers Inc., which operates more than 20 malls in the U.S.

IT’LL BE CHEAP TO STAY WARM

Heavy sweaters and winter coats are piling up at department stores and specialty chains heading into the Black Friday weekend.

Unseasonably warm weather and a shift in changing shopping habits toward experiences like spas have limited shoppers’ appetite for such clothing. So plenty of stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom and Dick’s Sporting Goods say they plan to further mark down excess goods.

Tom Clarke, managing director at AlixPartners and co-head of the retail practice, expects retailers will step up discounting this weekend beyond what’s planned to take advantage of the crowds in the stores.

That’s good news for shoppers, but bad news for stores whose profit margins will be squeezed. In fact, fourth-quarter profits are expected to be up 1. 4 percent on average for the 119 retailers Retail Metrics LLC tracks. That’s down from the anticipated 3.7 percent growth just a month ago.

But many are left with no choice but to discount.

As Macy’s CEO Terry Lundgren recently told analysts; “We’re not selling lumber so I can’t carry the lumber over to 2016 and sell it at the same price next year. We’re selling fashion apparel, so we’re going to mark that inventory down.”

TOYS WILL BE PRICEY

Prices are climbing for toys as manufacturers pack lots of technology into them. Deborah Weinswig of the Fung Business Intelligence Center says in a recent report that prices of what the company considers the top 20 expected toys was nearly 36 percent higher than last year, with the average price of $64.99.

And there are plenty of toys that cost $100 or more, observed Toys R Us CEO Dave Brandon. He cited Fisher-Price’s Smart Bear, which has a suggested price of $99.99, as an example.

Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of TTPM, an online toy review site, says there’s a limited selling window for the pricier toys. Parents save the most expensive ones as gifts and buy them in December.

Bryant Feliz, the father of a five-year-old girl, says he likes the diverse assortment of toys in the stores, but he doesn’t like the prices.

“At what costs should we be paying for our own kids’ enjoyment?” he said.

BY ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, AP Retail Writer

HOT TOYS

Which toys will warm the hearts of parents and kids for the 2015 holiday shopping season?

So far, there’s no single hot toy emerging. But anything “Star Wars,” life-like robotic pets and remote-controlled toys should drive sales.

The Associated Press has compiled a list of some of this year’s expected hot toys and trends for 2015:

“STAR WARS”

• The Black Series Kylo Ren Force FX Lightsaber by Hasbro: toy weapon makes light and sound effects. $199.99.
• BladeBuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber set from Hasbro: system allows kids to customize weapons. $49.99.
• The Force Awaken’s BB-8 Droid by Sphero: remote-controlled robot that connects to an app. It changes expression and even perks up when given voice commands. $149.99.
• Star Wars Millennium Falcon RC Quad by Spin Master: remote-controlled version of the iconic ship. $140

ROBOTIC PETS

• Little Live Pets CleverKeet from Moose Toys: interactive, singing and talking bird. He responds to voice. $59.99.
• Imaginext Ultra T-Rex from Mattel’s Fisher-Price: robotic dinosaur that has sound effects, walks, stands and fires projectiles. $99.99.
• FurReal Friends StarLily My Magical Unicorn from Hasbro: robotic unicorn with a horn that lights up. Also can spread and flutter her wings. It connects to an app. $119.99.
• Smart Toy Bear from Mattel’s Fisher-Price: plush bear that connects to an app and customizes based on the child’s preferences. $99.99.
• Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo: Press BeatBo’s tummy or any of the buttons on his feet to activate fun songs. Parents or the baby can record a phrase that can be remixed into a song for language and communication skills. $39.99.

OTHER

• Kidizoom Smartwatch DX from VTech: smartwatch for kids that can take pictures and videos. $64.99

FAST AND FURIOUS

• Nerf Rival from Hasbro: latest blaster under Nerf that has a trigger lock and high-impact rounds. $49.99 (1200 blaster) $24.99 (700 blaster)
• Marvel Avengers XPV Remote Control Hulk Smash Vehicle from Jakks-Pacific: remote-controlled Hulk that smashes, flips and does wheelies. $69.99.
• Anki Overdrive robotic car set: radio-controlled car set that works with an android or iPhone device. $149.99.
• Paw Patroller from Spin Master: toy truck inspired from Nickelodeon’s animated series “Paw Patrol” features a working elevator, a functional Command Center inside and sound effects. $59.99.
• Pie Face from Hasbro: Kids put whipped cream or a wet sponge on the “hand” of the game and start turning the handle. It could go off any minute — and splat. $19.99