By: Abby Wood
Sidebar: Holiday Festivities and Events
Despite the tough recession in the economy, retailers are saying Christmas will not be a total let down for businesses because of the good sales stores are currently having.
Retailers keep a Positive Attitude
Senior General Manager David Huesser of the Four Seasons Town Centre said he felt positive that the Christmas season will turn out well because retailers have a lot of sales for customers right now.
“I’m optimistic that the shopper will continue to respond to the sales the retailers are having,” he said.
In light of the economy, workers inside the stores are deciding to keep the Christmas cheer by carrying a positive attitude, and remembering the importance of Christmas.
An employee working in the Friendly Center's Ann Taylor Loft store said that the economy has not negatively impacted their business, and expects that the shopping season will get better.
He added that customers are taking advantage of the coupons that are offered through some stores of the shopping center, as well as special sales for sweaters offered in Ann Taylor Loft.
“The most popular, cheapest thing to buy here is the cable v-neck sweater for $29.50,” he said.
Retailers have consistently put their best foot forward in hopes that the present economical situation will eventually diminish.
Consumer Opinions on Economy
Consumers have responses of their own on how the economy is affecting them this year with Christmas shopping.
A shopper who preferred not to be named said she is conscious of the situation with the economy.
Retailers keep a Positive Attitude
Senior General Manager David Huesser of the Four Seasons Town Centre said he felt positive that the Christmas season will turn out well because retailers have a lot of sales for customers right now.
“I’m optimistic that the shopper will continue to respond to the sales the retailers are having,” he said.
In light of the economy, workers inside the stores are deciding to keep the Christmas cheer by carrying a positive attitude, and remembering the importance of Christmas.
An employee working in the Friendly Center's Ann Taylor Loft store said that the economy has not negatively impacted their business, and expects that the shopping season will get better.
He added that customers are taking advantage of the coupons that are offered through some stores of the shopping center, as well as special sales for sweaters offered in Ann Taylor Loft.
“The most popular, cheapest thing to buy here is the cable v-neck sweater for $29.50,” he said.
Retailers have consistently put their best foot forward in hopes that the present economical situation will eventually diminish.
Consumer Opinions on Economy
Consumers have responses of their own on how the economy is affecting them this year with Christmas shopping.
A shopper who preferred not to be named said she is conscious of the situation with the economy.
Another shopper who preferred not to be named said the economical situation is scary right now, but she is still “keeping the faith” that it will be okay.
A recent survey conducted by the American Research Group, Inc. showed that consumers will be spending about half the amount of money they spent last year on Christmas gifts.
According to this survey, “this is the lowest level of planned gift spending recorded by the American Research Group since 1991.”
However bleak Christmas spending may be, consumers are consistently showing a rise in their budget spending as we edge closer to Christmas.
Holiday Festivities and Events
A benefit for Christmas shoppers and retailers this year is the entertainment that will be hosted by the Four Seasons Mall throughout Christmas.
The event will be the Holiday Concert Series “to provide entertainment for the retailers and customers during the Christmas season,” said Common Area Coordinator Kelly Atzbach.
The public is free to schedule a time to perform any type of music at the mall’s amphitheatre during the Christmas season.
Atzbach said they are having the concert series because it is a way for the community to get involved, and it has never been done before.
She said this Christmas season will be a test run to see if people like the concert, and if it is a success, it will continue.
“We want people to appreciate coming out and spending time together. We want to get the community involved, and overall make it a wonderful experience.”
The Four Seasons Mall is also doing a special program called Random Acts of Kindness through Christmas.
Mall officials, students, and other organizations will be passing out free $100 gift cards to anyone that is in the mall. That person who was given a gift will also pass it on to someone else as a way of paying the kindness forward.
Huesser said that the Random Acts of Kindness “is a unique program for us, and it feels good to touch the lives of the community through these simple acts of kindness.”
“This year it is more about the giving than the receiving, and that is what we are trying to bring Christmas back to,” said Atzbach.
For more information on the economy and shopping statistics, visit:
http://www.americanresearchgroup.com/
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/christmas-shopping-will-sales-be-as-low-as-consumers-predict/?scp=1&sq=Christmas%20Shopping&st=cse
1 comment:
Abby,
good job overall. I like your writing style on this story. Some great comments from retailers.
I still feel the section on customer comments is too vague and doesn't reveal much.
You're also missing the second sidebar, with graphic or bullet point item.
Finally, your videos are fine, but would have preferred that you edit it to take out your questions and to add titles to identify to viewers who is speaking and about what.
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