Columbia stores, big and small, prep for holiday shoppers

Most businesses don't anticipate much change in business from holidays past.

By Catherine Rolfe

Published Nov. 18, 2008

As stores nationwide get ready for traditionally chaotic Black Friday sales, a new report shows that the holiday season might not be as busy this year.

Consumer confidence in the economy is at a record low this week, according to the Rasmussen Consumer Index, a daily telephone survey that measures Americans' feelings about the economy.

The index, now at 61.2, has dropped 38 points since the beginning of the year. And, before March of this year, it had never dipped below 83.2, in the index's seven-year history.

Still, Columbia businesses hope that winter sales will bring a much-needed boost to profits.

"We count on that time of year between Thanksgiving and Christmas," said Amanda Vander Tuig, owner of The Butterfly Tattoo in downtown Columbia. "They keep us afloat."

Larger department stores and the Columbia Mall are planning promotions in order to attract customers the day after Thanksgiving, on Nov. 28.

"We have lots of great promotions planned for Black Friday," said Janet Henderson, thegeneral manager of the Columbia Mall. "People are always out bargain shopping in the morning, and it's a fun tradition for lots of families."

The first 3,000 customers at the mall on Black Friday will receive complimentary gift bags. In addition, mall goers will be able to participate in a text-to-win contest, with prizes such as a 52-inch television, laptops and various gift cards for stores in the mall.

"We just want to provide our customers with a fun Black Friday shopping experience," Henderson said.

MC Sports store manager Wayne Townley focused on preparing his employees for a less than relaxing day.

"Preparation and organization are the only two words that come to mind," Townley said. "Anyone who's worked enough Black Fridays knows how busy they are and how they can really hurt you if you're not prepared."

Townley expects this year's start to the holiday season to go fairly well, in light of the recent economic downturn.

"I think we'll be a little bit better off, especially with the way the economy is nowadays," Townley said. "Lots of parents won't be out buying $400 gifts this year."

Smaller stores in the mall, such as Match Point, are also hoping for significant customer turnout in light of big cutbacks in price.

"We've been doing all right, the economy is slow so there's nothing we can do about it," Match Point manager Ken Kim said.

Other stores, such as Vander Tuig's, aren't expecting a change in business just for Black Friday.

"Typically, Black Friday is pretty slow for us," Vander Tuig said. "We don't mark our products up and we can't afford to have those kinds of sales."

During the holidays, usually a time when retail sales thrive, small business owners hope that customers look at local stores first.

"I just really feel like consumers need to be extra aware of where they're buying this season," Vander Tuig said. "If you're going to spend the money, spend it locally."

In today's economy, she said, small businesses are in danger of being phased out by larger corporations.

"People need to be aware more and more that if they don't support local business they just flat won't be here anymore," Vander Tuig said.