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| Retailers prep for holidays |
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| Written by Aaron Cedeño | |||
| Wednesday, 02 December 2009 08:00 | |||
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It’s amazing, the difference 20 miles can make. Last Friday, hundreds – perhaps thousands – of shoppers braved pre-dawn hours and freezing temperatures to line up outside retailers like Best Buy and Target, desperate to get their hands on any number of deeply-discounted products. Perhaps somewhat ironically known as “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving represents the biggest shopping day of the year nationwide.  In Louisburg, however, things tend to work a little differently. When Pam Allen opened the doors of Alco at 5 a.m., there was just one person in line, but she wasn’t sweating it. She knew the rush would come, just like it always does. And two hours later, her assumption proved correct. “We sure did,” Allen said, when asked if the local retailer had a big Black Friday. “It went over great.” For local businesses, Black Friday and the holiday shopping season can mean different things. For some, like Alco, it’s unquestionably one of their biggest seasons of the year, but not necessarily vital to the overall health when the year-end numbers are tallied. Similar to the “big box” electronic retailers like Best Buy and Target, Allen said Alco put a number of big ticket items on sale for the holiday rush, and the response was enthusiastic. A steady crowd of shoppers purchased everything from televisions to home appliances. Despite the economy, there are a number of reasons why Allen and Co. are expecting big numbers this holiday season. Deals on highly-coveted items play a big part, but she indicated that a new e-mail marketing campaign and the quality of their inventory were important factors as well. “I expect it to be up because of our ads,” she explained, of the holiday sales figures for 2009. “We have some fantastic ads.” Other local retailers are also anticipating – and hoping for – a big holiday season. Ann’s Flowers, 901 W. Amity St., appeals to a somewhat different customer base than Alco, and to them the holiday shopping season is vital. This year, owner Marcia Peterson has marked fall inventory down as much as 50-percent in an effort to both attract shoppers and make room for new product. This means the store’s supply of candles, Avon products, picture frames, plush animals and other gifts will be priced to move. Though Black Friday isn’t typically a big day, Peterson said, business should pick up steadily in the coming weeks. “Right after the holiday it’s usually not (too busy),” she explained. “This week we think it will be kind of slow, but some people do go ahead and place their orders for Christmas arrangements.” The floral industry is down throughout the United States, but Peterson said she wants to make sure Ann’s Flowers can offer the same services to Louisburg residents that flower shops in Johnson County can offer to their communities. That means creative products like large balloons filled with stuffed animals and other goodies, as well as expanding their gift basket business. It’s not only a timely move, Peterson said, but a practical one. “I think during economic times like this, instead of sending fresh flowers, they like to send things that people can really use,” she explained. “Cheese, sausage and those types of things.” Staying local to shop at places like Alco and Ann’s Flowers, as opposed to driving into the city, can have a sizable impact on the Louisburg economy, said Patsy Bortner, executive director of the Louisburg Chamber of Commerce. The sales tax revenue it generates can help provide an influx of funds for the city and the services it provides, she explained, and an increase in traffic will ensure that the Louisburg business community remains strong. “We are always reminding (Chamber) members and the public it really is important that they do all the shopping they can locally,” Bortner said. “If you can’t find it in Louisburg then check other communities in Miami County before heading up north. Our local businesses need and deserve our support, otherwise they won’t be able to or won’t want to stay in Louisburg.”
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