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While the shoe cacoethes might be distasteful or bewildering to many, NPD Group consumer analyst Marshal Cohen said retailers freely permitted the purchasing frenzy.
"The timing of it couldn't be any better" for retailers, said Cohen. "It becomes the deciding Christmas gift to get it, and it becomes the ultimate post-Christmas gift to get for yourself."
The timing of the shoe distribute - two days before Christmas and the start of the NBA season - isn't accidental, Cohen said. "These guys are moderately clever," he said. "They know when to strike."
And, Cohen said, the new Air Jordan sneakers have become this sabbatical season's first, and so far only, item in fanatical demand.
"There was nothing that really came out this red-letter day that had this passionate 'I must have this or I'm going to die,' " quality, Cohen said. "It's all about getting what everybody else couldn't get."
Stores were allowed to start selling the shoes at 5 a.m. Friday. Within hours, the heat were called to Northlake, Carolina Place and SouthPark malls.
Source: Charlotte Observer