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Local retailers report brisk post-holiday sales
By Derek Hodges
Local retailers are reporting brisk sales for the shopping days after Thanksgiving.
Many businesses offer customers discounted prices and early hours for the Friday after Thanksgiving, which has been given the name “Black Friday,” and has become the traditional day to begin Christmas shopping.
Wal-Mart, Jackson County’s and the world’s largest retailer, reported steady sales, though the store saw no increase over previous years’ results.
“The sales went well, but for us they were flat. They were about the same as last year,” Wal-Mart Manager Pete Newbold said.
While the Sylva store is open 24 hours and remained open through the holiday, there were several specially priced items that went on sale at 5 a.m. Friday. Among those products were a laptop computer for less than $400, which Newbold said sold out in one minute, televisions and toys.
“I think it will be a good holiday season,” Newbold said.
Black Friday sales are considered by many economists to be an indicator of how the rest of the sales season before Christmas will go.
Wal-Mart wasn’t the only store to see its shelves go bare. In downtown Sylva, Peebles opened at 8 a.m., but still offered customers deals, One such special – a boxed set of dishes – was sold down to one box the first day, then sold out the second day of the sale.
“It went very well. Practically everything in the store was on sale, and we did much better than last year,” Peebles Manager Marsha Taylor said.
Two Jackson Plaza stores, Rose’s and Goody’s, also reported encouraging numbers.
Jan Mazza, manager of Goody’s, said the store had a steady flow of customers from the time they opened the doors at 5 a.m.
“Sales were good. They were very good,” Mazza said. “We did really well. I think we’re going to have a good season.”
A spokesman for the local Rose’s store echoed Mazza’s comments.
Management at Country Road Farms and Blue Ridge Bedding, which advertised specials in The Herald last week, was not available for comment by press time.
Nationwide, retailers reported flat sales for the benchmark weekend, but many say they have experienced increased online sales.
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