Nov 17, 2010

Holiday sales expected to jingle cash registersBy Frank SzivosMinutemanNewsCenter.com

Local retailers hope to hear more jingling in their cash registers as well as in their hearts this holiday shopping season. If early shopping trends are any indication, they might just get what they wish for.

Diane Byrne, owner of Magnolia at 1215 Post Rd. in Fairfield, senses more enthusiasm among her customers than in the previous holiday shopping seasons.

“Business has definitely picked up,” Byrne said. “I’m pretty positive about this holiday season. The [sales] numbers are good. We’ll wait and see.”

Magnolia, a women’s boutique, thinks her unique inventory draws her steady customers that range between 35-55 years old. Byrne said her shop is like a mini-department store for women, featuring high quality at fair prices.

In her opinion, Magnolia differs from the large women’s chains because it features basics accented with “fun items.”

“Big chains are being careful about their inventory,” Byrne said. “They’re not bringing in trendy things. We bring in a lot of fun stuff. We have good value at good price points. Women are tired of seeing the same old thing.”

Steve Silver, co-owner of Silver of Westport, a luggage and gift store, thinks forecasting shopping levels is always unpredictable, and because of the sluggish economy even more uncertain.

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