Mar 27, 2007

Retailers seek boost from Easter salesBy Dave BurgeElPasoTimes.com

Local and national retailers are hoping to cash in on consumers buying clothes, candy and other items for Easter. The National Retail Federation estimates U.S. consumers will spend $14.37 billion on Easter, up from the $12.63 billion spent in 2006. Easter is April 8 this year.

Central El Paso resident Delfina Glenn, 27, will spend about $100 on Easter. That includes a new dress for herself and a new outfit for her 4-year-old son, Isaiah.

She also plans to make an Easter basket for her son that will include small toys, coloring books, some candy and a children’s movie on DVD, she said.

“We’re Catholic,” she said. “Easter is very important.”

Easter is also an important event for retailers because it helps to spur demand for spring apparel, retail experts say.

“Retailers had a hard time getting spring merchandise out in February because of the (cold) weather” across much of the nation, National Retail Federation spokeswoman Kathy Grannis said. “So, Easter, to a lot of retailers, is a chance to beef up spring sales.”

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