holiday sales

Obama Win Could Spur Holiday Sales

New York -- Can Barack Obama save Christmas?

In a survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs, 8% of respondents said they are likely to increase holiday spending, thanks to the historic election of Sen. Obama to the White House. By contrast, only 5% said they would have increased spending if Sen. John McCain had been elected.

While Michael Niemira, director-research at ICSC, admits those figures don't represent the bulk of consumers, he said it still offers a reason for optimism. "It does say on the margin that getting the election behind us will help," he said. "Now things may change, and that's what we're counting on, even if it's in the margin." Read more...

The retail before Christmas

Newport News, VA — On a sunny, 80-degree day last week — more than 15 days before Halloween — Wal-Mart employees in Newport News worked to put the finishing touches on their "Christmas Shop."

And even though holiday music wasn't playing yet, the smell of cinnamon hovered over customers as they walked past bright orange Jack-O-Lanterns to get to the Christmas trees.

It's all an attempt by Wal-Mart, and other retailers, to jump-start the gift-giving season and combat steadily falling retail sales. Read more...

Retailers Brace for Christmas Slump, While Some Enjoy Sales Uptick

Retailers are more apt to find a lump of coal in their stockings this Christmas than cash in the till.

“I can’t give you a prediction in percentages, but I can tell you it’s going to be bleak and I don’t think anything’s on the horizon that’s going to change that,” said George Whalin, who heads Retail Management Consultants of Carlsbad. “I don’t know that in my lifetime I’ve ever seen such dramatic change in the economic state of our country and in such a short period of time.”

The National Retail Federation predicts holiday sales will increase a modest 2.2 percent in November and December to $470 billion versus a year ago, the slowest gain since 2002. Read more...

Holiday sales barely predicted to rise; local retailers predict sales will be OK

Beaumont, TX — Christmas has arrived at GiGi's, A Children's Boutique, on Dowlen Road.

And Halloween still is four Fridays away.

Owners Cara Kinchen and Suzette Smith already have received a shipment of Christmas clothes, and they're gearing up for the busiest shopping season of the year.

Kinchen said there hasn't been talk among customers of cutting corners this Christmas or spending less money. And she hopes she won't hear that anytime soon. Read more...

Holidays Loom, Seasonal Job Seekers Find Gloom

Sacramento, CA - With more people unemployed and retailers cutting back, those looking for seasonal jobs are finding slim pickings.

Frank Chavez says he's tried everything he can think of: big box retailers, independent stores, grocery outlets, warehousing. In the past four weeks, the 20-year-old Sacramento college student has filled out 50 applications with no luck so far.

"Either you don't get a call back or they're just not looking for whatever you have to offer, I guess," said Chavez after a job interview at an Arden Fair Mall kiosk stand for Rosetta Stone language software. "A lotta people are looking for jobs, lotta people looking for second jobs. A couple of interviews I've had, they've been group interviews of anywhere from five to probably 20 (applicants)." Read more...

Halloween Celebrations Rise as Consumers Look to Escape Everyday Realities

Washington – The spookiest holiday of the year may bring a bit of needed relief to consumers and retailers. According to the National Retail Federation’s Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, more consumers plan to celebrate the holiday this year (64.5% vs. 58.7%). This year, the average person plans to spend $66.54 on the holiday, up from $64.82 one year ago. Total Halloween spending for 2008 is estimated to reach $5.77 billion.*

Though the economy is struggling, Halloween sales may be a bright spot for retailers this fall,” said Tracy Mullin, NRF President and CEO. “Consumers--who have been anxious and uncertain for the past several months--may be looking at Halloween as an opportunity to forget the stresses of daily life and just have a little fun.” Read more...

Shoppers go for the gold on tax holiday

Savvy shoppers crowded Boston-area malls and stores yesterday, taking advantage of the state's fifth annual sales tax holiday and saving 5 percent on items ranging from school supplies to expensive electronics. Retailers, fearful that the sluggish economy would keep spending down, were relieved.

"We are extremely busy," said Mohammed Azad, manager of Sears at CambridgeSide Galleria, where families pored over gas stoves and examined refrigerators. Nearly 100 of his 135 employees were on hand yesterday to handle customers - three times a normal Saturday's staffing. And by 10:30 in the morning, the store - having opened two hours early at 7 a.m. - had racked up nearly twice its usual sales. Read more...

Thousands hit Houston-area stores on tax-free weekend

While clouds kept temperatures relatively low on Saturday, shoppers' tempers were hot as they flocked to stores during Texas' annual sales tax holiday weekend.

Scarce parking and long lines plagued some retailers, making shoppers grumpy and less than polite.

"This is crazy. I've never seen people act like this," said Trey Robinson, who went to The Woodlands Mall to buy a last-minute anniversary gift Saturday afternoon. Read more...

Tax-free shopping starts Sunday

Farmington, CT -- With the struggling economy, the state's annual week-long sales tax holiday has never been more welcome.

The back to school shopping frenzy is well underway at Westfarms Mall and every other mall across the state. Starting on Sunday and for seven days after that there will be a bargain from state government.

The sales tax exemption for clothing and shoes jumps from $50.00 - $300.00 starting Sunday.

Take a pair of sneakers priced at $49.99 for example. There wouldn't be a Connecticut Sales Tax on those sneakers because they're priced under $50.00. Read more...

Retail group president declares Georgia's sales tax holiday a success

The president of the Georgia Retail Association said Monday that while final numbers are not in, he believes the state's retailers saw more dollars come into their stores because of the sales tax holiday.

John Heavener, president of the association, said the sales tax exemption on selected clothing, computers and school supplies generated increased traffic for retailers. Read more...