CONSUMERS ON A SPENDING SPREE
By Adnews Staff
Independent retailers are ringing up happy holidays as 42% of them are enjoying higher sales so far this holiday season that they did last year at this time, according to a survey done by the Retail Council of Canada. Twenty-four per cent said there is no change from last year, while 31% reported a decline in sales. Respondents were also asked to predict how total holiday sales will fare this season compared to last year. The most optimistic retailers are in the Maritimes. Merchants there predicted an average rise in total sales of 6.7%. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba retailers were next with an average predicted increase of 4%, followed by Ontario store owners, who expect an average climb of 3.2%. Retailers in British Columbia were the least optimistic, predicting a decrease in sales of 6.9%. While Quebec merchants were under-represented in the survey, those who responded predicted sales would climb by an average of 4.8%. When asked what consumers are buying this holiday season, retailers reported a mix of products. Hot sellers so far are Beanie Babies, computer software, cellular phones and accessories, snowboards, licensed sporting apparel, big screen TVs, jewelry, sweaters, books and compact discs. The Retail Council of Canada represents over 6,500 small, mid-sized and large merchants across Canada.