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Gift cards worry some shopppers

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Brooke Dunning is loaded with gift cards. “I have a Gap one, Simon and American Express,” she said.

The first grade teacher loves getting the cards and giving them, but Brook and her sister Lauren Alwran say they’ll quickly use the cards they get this Christmas.

An e-mail that is circulating on the Internet warns consumers that some of their favorite stores might be closing some stores or closing all together.

Retailers like the Gap, Cache, Ann Taylor, Foot Locker, even the Disney store, are all on the e-mail list.

“Retail is in such a funk right now,” said Tom Bartholomy, President of the Better Business Bureau in Charlotte.

“If you are thinking of buying a gift card for someone it’s still a good gift if the recipient uses it right away,” said Bartholomy.

Bartholomy also says this season will be do or die for many retailers. If they do well this holiday season they’ll be in business next year. If they have a slow season it could mean they’ll be out of business in 2009.

As for Brooke and Lauren, they both say they’ll continue giving gift cards.

“I’d rather give a gift card than clothes,” said Alwran.

Both sisters agree they like being able to pick out the gifts they want, but this year they’ll do that a little faster than in the past.

For more information on the store closing rumors, click: http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/storeclosings.asp