(December 19, 2001) Mission Leaders: J. Taihei and M. Federis Operatives Involved: R. Varsh, L. Kim and K. Kachurak Location: Glendale Galleria shopping mall Objectives: To find the best places to do your holiday shopping and the ones to avoid. Notes: Should you or any of your team be caught or go over your credit card limit, the Chronicle will disavow any know-ledge of you or your actions. This paper will self-destruct in five seconds…if you don’t read on, that is. DAY ONE 1300 HOURS: Dressed in knee-high rainbow socks and a furry white hat, Agent Varsh infiltrates the GAP. The greeter was as perky as usual. Though no staff approached Varsh to offer her help, the agent reported “nothing out of the ordinary.” Agent Kim, however, did get more attention in her skintight jeans and black blouse. 1400 HOURS: Varsh enters Banana Republic and proceeds to inspect the grounds. Though whispers ensued from customers, no Banana worker proceeded to harass the agent, much less pay attention to her. 1400 HOURS: Agents Kim and Kachurak approach Abercrombie & Fitch. An A&F sales associate immediately advances to Kim, offering assistance. Kim declines and moves on to continue observation of the store. Kachurak is ignored and continues to probe merchandise. Kim comes across the same associate once more and requests assistance in finding a sweater. The A&F sales rep leads Kim through a maze of several different displays around the store. Kim accounts being helped to five different locations as “the sales rep went through every description of every display.” Kim thanks the staff member, as Kachurak makes his way to another worker to inquire about pants, only to be blown off. Unequal treatment is apparent within store. DAY TWO 1100 HOURS: Mission resumes at Abercrombie & Fitch. After picking out a belt to purchase, Varsh encounters an irritable cashier at the register. “Sliding the belt into the bag, the belt fell off the counter and onto floor. He bent over exasperatedly to pick up the item and proceeded to throw the belt onto the counter in an aggressive manner.” Her visit was topped off by “a very sarcastic ‘thank you for shopping.’” 1200 HOURS: Agents Federis and Taihei meanwhile revisited all the mentioned retail outlets to analyze prices and hunt down store bargains. We, in addition to the retailers visited by our team, added several department and music stores to our investigation for holiday discounts. After careful analysis of the accounts reported by our undercover team, we have comprised a list of the best and worst places to look for when shopping for holiday gifts. MISSION RESULTS Department Stores: TIE – Macy’s and Robinsons-May prices vary. Either way, you will have to sacrifice selection for bargains. Clothing Retail: Where to go – Learner New York gives the best presentation of bargains. Where NOT to go – Abercrombie & Fitch. Poor service and high prices are not worth the time and money. Music Stores: Where to go – The Wherehouse offers good selection and prices. Where NOT to go – Sam Goody, same selection but higher prices.