The Buzz: Retailers hope season bright
In all of the dour retail and economic news, there are glimmers of cheer.
But you need to look for them.
As retailers prepare for the start of the Christmas shopping season, there are glass-half-full types charging ahead and hoping the season still will shine.
“Christmas is not canceled, knock on wood,” said Lori Dudley, co-owner of the Grand Chute gift shop Scatter Joy at 1869 N. Casaloma Drive. “We’re optimistic. People might shy away from big ticket items, but they’re still going to buy $20 gifts for a neighbor or a best friend.”
She and business partner Janet Garrison took a second storefront, doubling the square footage of their tiny shop for the next two months. The additional space, called Seasons of Scatter Joy, features holiday tabletop items, decor and ornaments. It opens Nov. 6 with a pajama party.
By keeping the holiday theme in one store, Garrison said they would largely forgo holiday goods in the other. “We can keep more everyday things in this (original) store. People want to buy a more practical gift, something that people can use year-round, not just at Christmas.”
Nationally, focusing on practicality is one way retailers are bracing for a tough shopping season, predicted to see sales gains of a paltry 2.2 percent, about half of the normal gains. They’re also cutting back on operating costs, labor and inventory.
The customer spending pullback already hit Halloween sales, which slowed after the stock market dive.
“It was OK up until the last few weeks,” said Todd Cloutier, owner of Halloween Express, a seasonal store set up by Home Depot in Grand Chute.
“In the last couple of weeks, everything came down. The number of sales tickets is the same, but the average ticket is down. People are using some of what they have from last year and buying something new to go with it. Home decor seems to be doing OK.”
