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Local retail ends on high note

Christmas week pushed up sales for what almost became a dismal holiday

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  • Tara Bozick •
  • Originally published January 11, 2009 at 12:17 a.m., updated January 11, 2009 at 12:17 a.m.

Major Victoria retailers ended the year with increased sales in the last two months, but sales were relatively low for the year.

Just a couple of weeks before Christmas, Joseph Capers, store manager of J.C. Penney's Department Store, found little traffic through his doors in the Victoria Mall.

But the week of Christmas brought the season's sales figures back on track after a slow November and beginning of December, Capers said.

"The day after Christmas was outstanding," Capers said.

December 2008 saw more sales than December the year before, but 2008 still lagged behind 2007 in overall sales, he said. He attributes the spike to lower gas prices and shoppers holding out until the last minute for bargain deals.

"The atmosphere changed a little bit and people shopped," he said.

Target also welcomed the increased traffic, Mike Yokum, store manager said. November and December 2008 showed an increase over the same months in 2007, but September and October were slow, he said.

"The holiday season was a strong holiday season," Yokum said. "I think gas prices have a lot to do with it."

Gas fell from nearly $4 in the summer to $1.37 in December. That, added to Target's strong gift card sales, helped, he said.

The H-E-B stores in Victoria didn't see a dramatic difference in sales this year, Shelley Parks, spokesperson said. People are opting to eat at home instead of eating out, she noted.

The stores saw an increase in the usage of meal deals and "combo locos," where consumers buy one item and may get several others free, she said.

While Victoria County saw a 5 percent drop in sales tax revenue from 2007 to 2008, Randy Vivian, president of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, said the local economy stays relatively strong.



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