Oct 8, 2013

Holiday ‘Shop Local’ Campaign Kicks Off in NassauBy Keiko MorrisNewsDay.com

Nassau County, NY – Representatives from several Nassau County chambers of commerce kicked off an annual “shop local” campaign Tuesday, starting more than a month earlier than last year to keep up with the holiday programs already in high gear at the big chain stores.

“When we saw the advertisements of Walmart and Kmart and various big-box stores offering layaway programs, we thought we would move our program up a bit so we could grab a piece of the pie,” said Julie Marchesella, president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. The event was held at her Queen of Hearts formalwear store in Merrick.

The holiday season is always critical for retailers, many of whom do 20 percent to 40 percent of their annual business during this period. Merchants are feeling some pressure to extend the season this year, with Hanukkah beginning at sundown on Nov. 27 and six fewer shopping days between Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) and Christmas Day.

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