Despite steadily rising energy costs, most Orangeburg retailers are not buying into the gloom and doom of prognosticators and are optimistic Christmas shopping sales will remain strong.

Palmetto Office Supply owner Henry Allen thinks the American consumer is resilient and quite generous when it comes to holiday shopping.

"I think people will work around that (high fuel prices)," he said, noting analysts are all over the board when it comes to projections, with some calling for a loss while others are calling for a gain. "It is once a year ... and I think they will make the best of it. They will be shopping. They always have and they always will."

The day after Thanksgiving is typically one of the nation's busiest shopping days. Ferse's 5&10 owner Roy Chandler says if pre-Thanksgiving sales are any indication of what is to come, it should be a fine year.

He says pre-Thanksgiving advertising has been successful this past week as a steady flow of customers have patronized the store. He foresees these trends continuing, as the same ads will run through the weekend.

Everything from Christmas decorations to Radio Flyer products are selling well, he said. And so are higher-priced toy items such as a musical keyboards, and more practical items like thermal underwear and electrical heaters. And, of course, Christmas trees.

Chandler believes increased congestion in the airways and on highways may help keep people home, giving them income for Christmas shopping.

"I think more people will stay home and that will be better for retailers," he said.

Unlike last year, South Carolina consumers will not be treated to the Thanksgiving sales tax holiday.

Last year, the South Carolina Legislature approved a one-time sales tax holiday for the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. The tax holiday cost the state an estimated $16 million.

Experts say retailers typically see between 10 percent to 20 percent of their sales during the holiday season.

While local retailers are optimistic, nationally many retailers saw October sales plummet due to concerns of high energy and food bill costs, as well as a sluggish housing market. Some experts say the season is expected to show the slowest growth since 2002, particularly in light of some heavily publicized toy recalls this summer.

JCPenney Store Manager Calvin Tucker said he's optimistic that the holiday shopping season will remain positive with much, he says, depending on Mother Nature rather than high gas prices. Consumer purchases have been steady over the past two years as gas prices increased.

"I think the biggest factor will be the weather," he said, referring to how the recent 70-degree days have made those sweaters and coats on display less inviting when people are wearing flip flops and shorts. "It does not feel like Christmas. An unseasonable, warm December could hurt sales unless it cools down to more normal temperatures."

At the Prince of Orangeburg Mall Sears, Store Manager Greg Prisoc said he expects a lot of customers will flood into the store.

"We will be selling a lot of electronics," Prisoc said. He doesn't think high gasoline prices will negatively impact sales because the store typically serves the local community and does not necessarily count on shoppers traveling from Columbia. "For us in this location, it will be strong."

Warmer temperatures may impact apparel sales somewhat, but colder weather will inevitably come, he said.

"Customers are looking forward to it," he said.

Peggy Nemeth, Orangeburg's Wal-Mart store manager, said the store is looking for good sales, especially in light of positive sales experienced earlier in the year.

"The trend we are seeing is that people are not making as frequent trips but they do spend more money," she said. "The average basket ring is up, but the average customer coming through the door is trending down."

Nemeth said the store plans to increase staff by about 20 percent.

Robby Rollings, store manager at Goody's on North Road, also said expectations are for sales to be strong.

"We will have a steady flow," Rollings said. He's increasing staff by about 30 percent to handle the expected flow.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.