After a ho-hum 2009 and a less-than-great 2008, holiday retail sales are finally expected to be on the rise this year, and that has shop owners from the mall to Main Street smiling big.
The National Retail Federation has forecast an increase of 2.3 percent this year to $447.1 billion. While that growth remains slightly lower than the ten-year average holiday sales increase of 2.5 percent, it would be a marked improvement from both last year's 0.4 percent uptick and the dismal 3.9 percent holiday sales decline retailers experienced in 2008.
"I feel really optimistic about the season," said April Chambers, manager of Kazoodles Kid-Powered Toys in downtown Vancouver. "I will say it has been a slow start to the fourth quarter but I have a feeling after Thanksgiving people are going to realize just how close the holidays are and we'll get everyone all at once."
Chambers said there has been a lot of interest in big-ticket items this month. She believes that's because families wait until the holiday season to make large purchases. She also talked about some of the benefits of being a locally-owned business this time of the year.
"We're a local retailer that tries to buy toys made by local companies and artisans," said Chambers. "And I think people finally understand how keeping money in our own community makes a difference, especially in this economy. I've noticed more people being educated about that and mentioning it in our store."
Much like they have in previous years, retailers are expected to focus on inventory control this holiday season to limit their exposure to excess merchandise and unplanned markdowns.
Meanwhile, this tough economy might actually hold a silver lining for some.
"Since the economy has been down I've seen a lot of news coverage about thrift shopping and finding treasures in unlikely places. That could be a real good thing for us," said Nicole Leslie, owner of Old Town Antique Shop on Main Street in Vancouver.
Leslie said shrinking budgets could bring customers into her shop that would have otherwise never considered coming into an antique store.
"That could be a good thing for us because I truly believe the quality of some of the dated things we carry is much superior to what they make today. And when you're buying used you're paying less," said Leslie, who refers to antique shops the "original green stores."
Both Leslie and Chambers said holiday promotions and events are in the works at each of their stores. Kazoodles is offering 20 percent off certain holiday toys and Old Town is organizing a Christmas clearance stocking stuffer sale.
"Business has already started to pick up," said Leslie. "So I'm very hopeful for the rest of the year."
