With the holiday season kicking off this week, many Wells Fargo economists are estimating a modest rise in sales this year.
Even though many have the fiscal cliff, unemployment and slow job growth on the forefront of their minds, local retailers are staying positive about this holiday season.
Love at First Bite is one of many retailers around the area that are looking forward to this holiday season.
“We’re expecting a really busy holiday, the last two years have been really busy and we’re expecting even busier this year with our new product lines” said owner Juli Richards.
Economists agree with Juli, sales will rise.
“When we look at the holiday sales items for the month of November and December, we estimate that they’ll increase about 3.8%” said economist Michael Brown.
Last year holiday sales rose on a year by year basis by about 5.7%, so it’s improving over last year but at a much slower pace.
That’s not stopping local store owners from giving out really good deals.
“On black Friday we’re going to, everyone that comes in we’re going to give them a free mini cupcake when they come in after they’re done with all their big shopping they can come here and just relax” continued Richards.
Love at First Bite just brought in 24 different kinds of olive oils and vinegars. You can also get holiday gift baskets for family and friends.
This year there are three more days between Thanksgiving and Christmas plus an extra weekend which means more days for shopping.
