Mar 18, 2008

Local retailers seek holiday sales jumpBy David BurgeElPasoTimes.com

With all the talk of an economic slowdown, retailers are hoping that Easter will help to get their sales hopping again.

Some consumers, however, say they plan on cutting back on their spending because they’re worried about the economy.

The National Retail Federation estimates U.S. consumers will spend $14.44 billion on Easter, which is Sunday, up just a half-percent from the estimated $14.37 billion spent in 2007. According to the retail federation, this is the earliest Easter since 1913.

“Easter is typically seen as the official kickoff to spring, when retailers debut new clothes and consumers are in the mood to buy for warmer weather,” retail federation President and Chief Executive Officer Tracy Mullin said in a statement. “Although this is one of the earliest Easter holidays on record, retailers are hoping that this year will be no different.”

Elaine Rosen, owner of West Side gift shop More Than Baskets!, said Easter is tied with Halloween for the third busiest time of the year for her business, behind the winter holidays and Valentine’s Day.

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