Clark County retailers Wednesday called Tuesday’s snowstorm a minor nuisance compared with last year when pre-Christmas snow all but buried an already grim holiday selling season.
But sales figures this year are shaping up to be much better than last year, according to local merchants such as Patti Laird, owner of Patti’s Hallmark shops in Vancouver. Laird estimated December sales were up by 20 percent over the same month last year at her three area stores. Others said Tuesday’s snowstorm would have little effect on December sales, although merchants also depend on strong January sales.
? Previously:
In December 2008, Clark County retail businesses were slammed by snowstorms that kept shoppers away throughout the holiday selling season.
? What’s new: By comparison, this year’s sales have been much better, local retailers say.
? Previously:
In December 2008, Clark County retail businesses were slammed by snowstorms that kept shoppers away throughout the holiday selling season.
? What's new: By comparison, this year's sales have been much better, local retailers say.
? What's next: Retail experts predict brisk after-Christmas sales as merchants make display space for spring merchandise.
? What’s next: Retail experts predict brisk after-Christmas sales as merchants make display space for spring merchandise.
“The weeks after Christmas are still a really large part of the holiday season when many customers redeem gift cards and exchange gifts,” said Jessica Curtis, marketing director for Westfield Vancouver mall.
Laird said she opted to keep her stores open during Tuesday’s snow episode, which snarled traffic through the metro area. That’s because enough of her employees were willing to cover store shifts.
“We’re having our after-Christmas sale. The people who really want the sale items didn’t let a snow flurry stop them from coming in,” she said.
Slushy streets didn’t hurt Fred Meyer’s seven Clark County stores either, said Amanda Ip, company spokeswoman.
“Last year’s snow was a struggle, not just for store sales, but for our associates to get to work,” she said, adding that store managers were relieved that this year’s holiday sales were not affected by snowy conditions.
“Sales were definitely good this year for the holiday, and I think people are still shopping smartly,” with store coupons and savings certificates, she said.
The snow appeared to prompt brisk sales of winter apparel at discount and clearance prices at Westfield Vancouver mall, said Connie Stankivicz, mall manager.
Store merchants are marking down what’s left of the winter sweaters, knit scarves, mittens and gloves to make room for new lines of spring fashions.
“The snow was a really good reminder to those who still needed cold weather gear,” Stankivicz said.
Fourth quarter store-only taxable retail sales in Clark County totaled $498.3 million in the three months from October through December in 2008. Retailers are hoping for an increase of at least 2 percent this year, but because of last year’s bad weather, the increases could be greater.
