Oprah Seems to Have Golden Touch

Nov. 19, 2005 — -- Does Oprah have the golden touch or is she just keyed in to what American women want and need?

This week, Oprah gave her studio audience and the lingerie industry a lift when she brought on bra fitters from the department store Nordstrom.

Oprah said she intervened because most American women are not wearing the right bras.

Since the show aired, bra sales are up almost 200 percent at Nordstrom. Other lingerie stores report a boost too.

Is this the "O Factor"?

"I can't think of a single person who has his type of influence on America's buying power," said Vera Gibbons, a business analyst at Kiplinger's.

Women say Oprah seems like "a regular person" and that they can trust her.

In the late 1990s, the talk show diva inspired thousands of people to read when she began her book club, which has been credited with reviving the book industry.

"If you want to sell books, you go to Oprah," said Gibbons. "If you want to sell ice cubes to Eskimos, you go to Oprah."

In 1996, when Oprah swore off hamburgers because of mad ow disease, beef sales dropped to a 10-year low. It also landed Oprah in court for slandering the beef industry -- charges she beat in 1998.

Next week, Oprah will give away her "Favorite Things" to a handpicked audience. Companies have been clamoring for a spot on her list, because whatever Oprah likes, America likes.