It’s better to give than to receive — and local merchants are giving discounts and some gifts to shoppers beginning on Friday, traditionally the start of the Christmas shopping season.
The day after Thanksgiving had been the biggest shopping day of the year until last year, when the day before Christmas proved to be the day when shoppers turned out in the largest numbers, according to information from MasterCard.
Retailers nationwide are expecting this gift-giving season to show moderate growth over last year’s healthy sales.
The National Retail Federation anticipates an increase of 5 percent during the holidays, while the International Council of Shopping Centers predicts an increase of 4.8 percent.
“It’s a pretty good economic environment for the retailers,” said Mike Niemira, chief economist for the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Marshal Cohen, an industry analyst, said that consumers probably will upgrade technical devices such as cell phones and video game systems, but will not be as quick to buy upgraded digital cameras or plasma televisions.
“A lot of what is out there is similar to years past, so if you have a digital camera, you’re not going to get another one,” he said in a Scripps Howard News Service news release. “There’s no newness to compel the consumers.”
Cohen sees no “hot-ticket” items this season, and that could affect the amounts of money consumers spend.
“There’s no must-have item, which means there’s no must-give item,” he said.
Sales online look good, according to Forrester Research, which predicted a 23 percent surge in online sales, rising from $22 billion to $27 billion for the same November-December period.
Online sales still constitute only a small portion of the retailing industry — less than 6 percent, according to Scripps Howard.
Discount and giant retailers will compete for dollars by having storewide sales and some, like Target, have indicated they will meet prices advertised by Wal-Mart.
But for all the attention paid to big-box retailers, small retail owners have their own plans to draw in customers. In Emporia, that means special give-aways for early shoppers.
AKA Marketing and Promotions, 524 Commercial St., will give a free T-shirt with an area high school logo with any purchase, while supplies last.
Co-owner Anna Hammon said that the store has stocked up on logo hoodies, hats, and windbreakers, as well as smaller team-logoed items, such as watches, earrings, mini coasters for cars, stained-glass ornaments and other items. Jayhawks, Wildcats, Longhorns, Sooners and Chiefs are among the logos available.
“Before they go shopping over at Kansas Sampler or something like that, they should stop here and see all the sports stuff we have and novelties,” Hammon said.
Casey Woods and the staff at Madelynn’s, 511 Commercial St., plan to hand out Christmas potpourris to customers when the store opens on Friday.
“We’ll have drawings and, while supplies last, we’ll have giveaways starting at 8 o’clock in the morning,” Woods said.
Madelynn’s has taken 25 percent off all of its women’s sweaters, snowmen and snow-related items in the gift department for the opening day of the holiday shopping season, in addition to 40 percent off a selected display of formals.
Caribbean Sun, 1119 Commercial St., will have a 25 percent off storewide special beginning Friday, according to Lori Nelson. The store offers tanning packages on four levels of tanning beds, as well as lotions and accessories.
Town Crier Bookstore, 716 Commercial, has added new classic games for the entire family, according to Becky Smith, manager. Wooden educational puzzles for children also have arrived, in addition to a new line of bookmarks with ribbons, jewels, or crosses. Bookends, “Mark-my-Time” digital bookmarks to monitor student reading times, and magnetic “Mop Tops” also are on display.
“And of course, our annual CASA tree to help give every child in the local CASA system a book,” she said.
Smith encouraged “shopping late every night.” The store is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and beginning this weekend, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
The Villager, 623 Commercial St., has an assortment of suggestions for shoppers, including a new product line, Miabella candles. Owner Nancy Crawford said that 60 scents of the naturally blended gourmet candles are available at the store.
Also new to the Villager are children’s clothing by Woolrich and Artisans and a number of infant gift ideas.
Purses, belts, jewelry, lingerie and other clothing are among a list of ideas provided by Crawford.
All of the Jansport book bags will be sold at 20 percent off while supplies last at Textbook Corner, 1121 Commercial St. Manager Darcy Finical said that the store has a good selection of Emporia State University license plates and T-shirts, with the latter priced at $10 each.
The store remodeling project is almost complete and more ESU items are arriving weekly. Finical reminded shoppers that “a gift certificate makes a great gift for college kids.”
The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. See store for extended hours through the season.
Denim shirts will be on sale for $10 each when Nikki B’s opens at 8 a.m. Friday. Owner Tony Belt said that other apparel will be 25 to 50 percent off. The store will extend its hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Christmas.
Scented wax stuffed animals, an alternative to candles, are in stock at Bath Expressions by Burnap, 722 Commercial St. The store has a variety of nightlights for all ages, in addition to bath products, gels, lotions, and hand-crafted soaps. Pattie Carlson, manager, said that a new line of candles by Clark Valley Soy Co., has come in and the store has a good supply of flashing rubber duckies.
“We do have some unique items,” Carlson said.
A selection of firearms has been set aside and priced at 20 percent off at The Gun Den, 708 Commercial St. The store normally is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Owner Chad Fechter said that his store is an exclusive dealership for a variety of brands from major manufacturers of firearms, archery, cutlery and flashlights. Special orders also are being accepted and will be in by Christmas. Fechter reminded shoppers that gift certificates continue to be a good gift option.
Guitars and drums are being offered as Christmas specials at Flint Hills Music, according to Clayton Applegate, an employee of the store. The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday.
Rasor Apparel, 1122 Commercial St., next to Godfather’s, is offering 10 percent off all merchandise to usher in the Christmas shopping season. Holiday-motif heat transfers, license plates and holders, cake pan tops, plaques, “sublimation hoodies,” rhinestone designs and ceramic ornaments are among the items offered, in addition to $12 teddy bears wearing T-shirts that can be personalized with photos or other prints. Rasor also can make custom tiles for bathrooms, showers, and countertops in ceramics, glass, softstone or glow-in-the-dark riles, according to owner Mike Reilly. Two artists are available to help with designs as needed. The store will be open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Thursdays, when it will bed open until 9 p.m. for carriage rides. Saturday hours are noon to 5 p.m.
People who want to try quilting will find some fabrics at Prairie Pieces priced at 40 percent off. Owner Sue Blubaugh is holding an open house on Saturday. The store also stocks an assortment of quilt kits, including traditional patterns, snowmen, wolves, and other specialty motifs. Quilted flag kits in E.S.U., K-State and K.U. patterns also are available.
Blubaugh said that when the holiday season is over, she will start a new round of quilting classes after the first of the year.
Hill’s Appliance, which recently moved to 1429 West Highway 50, Suite A, will offer double rebates on “some really nice flat-panel, high-quality TVs,” co-owner Rob Hill said.
The Sunflower Nook Gift Shop is emphasizing Christmas decor, with wreaths, trees, and all kinds of ornaments and decorating items throughout the store, in addition to the usual stock of gifts. Owner Sharon Stewart has a good supply of dips, sauces, cheeseballs, and mulling spices to fill gift baskets made by staff. The store will serve cider flavored with Aspen Mulling Spices throughout the day on Friday. Sunflower Nook will be open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays, until the week before Christmas, when the store will be open until 6 p.m. Stewart said the store has ample parking nearby for shoppers.
Kim Redeker, family and staff of The Sweet Granada will come in Thanksgiving afternoon to put up Christmas decorations in preparation for the start of the holiday shopping season on Friday. The store will have “a bajillion” handmade candies for Christmas, including this year’s special hand-rolled limited edition Christmas truffles flavored in candy cane, English toffee, cheesecake, dark chocolate and others.
Candy gifts large and small can be placed in special holiday containers and presented in baskets, trays, gift towers, or little stocking stuffers.
Next door at the Granada Coffee Co., hand-made greeting cards, fuzzy winter scarves, jewelry, art photos and watercolors by 14 local artists and one Kansas artist are for sale, along with the Granada’s specialty coffees. Some of the art benefits special projects, such as the Granada Restoration Project and the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome association.
Guion’s Showcase, 2023 West Sixth Ave., has prepared for holiday shoppers with new shipments of jewelry armoire chests, hall trees, video chairs and mirrors; a shipment of collegiate beanbags is expected in soon, according to Mike Guion. A group of Lazy Boy recliners have been priced at $299 for the season.
“We’ve got the one-year no interest running now,” Guion said.
Poinsettias in a variety of colors will be available at Designs by Sharon, according to owner Sharon Ewing. Strawberries and cream, as well as Kansas State- and K.U.-colored poinsettias are among the shades that will be offered. Ewing said that in the past, local fans have exacerbated rivalries by sending their own team colors to friends who favor an opposing team.