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Shoppers
seem to be a little more guarded this
holiday season, with area stores so far
reporting a somewhat cautious approach
to the annual ritual of gift buying.
“Buyers
are a little more conservative this
year,” said Zach Berning, owner of
Berning’s Jewelry. “Smaller-ticket items
are being sold more easily than
bigger-ticket items.”
Despite
this trend, Berning’s, like many other
businesses, are recording sales that
match or exceed expectations.
“We’re
having one of our best years ever; just
different types of items are selling
more,” Berning said.
Gloria
Bloomer, marketing director for the Casa
Paloma shopping center, said, “Most of
the stores have reported solid sales, on
par or above projections.”
Pat
Garner, manager of the Red Rock Trading
Post at Chandler Fashion Center, agreed,
adding, “We doubled our
day-after-Thanksgiving sales.”
When a
number of different stores were asked to
summarize their sales, reactions
included: “Great,” “good,” “busy” and
“excellent.”
While
buying up normally hot items, shoppers
have also begun searching for more
unique gifts to give this season.
Finding a completely original gift has
been maddening in the past, but stores
try to ease the pain with variety.
“Smaller
independent stores will have better
selection,” said Berning. “We try to
find things that aren’t your
run-of-the-mill items.”
With a
wide array of gifts at the fingertips of
residents, one needs only to look around
to see what are the popular buys this
year.
“Bling-bling” purses that have sequins
lining them from Abbey Gardens are
selling well, says Hallie Adams, the
owner, who added that the longtime gift
and tea shop searches long and hard for
unique presents.
“I’d
suggest credit card holders with
rhinestones. And, of course, jewelry.”
The credit
card holders are a relatively
inexpensive choice, running around $20.
Other
options on the affordable end of the
spending spectrum are bead
wraps--colorful assortments of beads
that can be wrapped around candles,
costing $7.50 a strand, at Definitely
Debra,
For those
looking to spend more on select items,
Red Rock Trading Post offers copper
plates that range from $59 to $212.
Berning’s also has an assortment of
items including adjustable chains for
pendants and necklaces at $150.
Unique
gifts are byproducts of the motifs this
season from shopping centers and stores
alike.
“Pampering
is the theme at Casa Paloma,” said
Bloomer.
“Yellow
metal is becoming popular again,”
Berning said.
“Trail of
Painted Ponies are going like crazy,”
Garner added.
The resurgence of
particular products has given some
flexibility for gift-seekers this
season. From Indian masks to martini and
champagne glasses, there is plenty to
aid the worried shopper in the arduous
task of finding that unique something
for that special someone. |
