Christmas buying is done for some, and retailers are merry

The sign at the bank said 66 degrees.

There are still a few leaves dangling from tree branches. Grandma hasn't even pulled out the pumpkin pie recipe.

But make no mistake. Christmas season, at least the Christmas shopping season, is already here.

For some shoppers, Christmas shopping season is already over.

Several area retail managers say they've noticed more early Christmas shoppers this year, a sign they say bodes well for a successful shopping season.

Chris Brost of Cape Girardeau was "just finishing up" her Christmas shopping early Tuesday afternoon.

"I like to have it all done before Thanksgiving," she said. "Part of it is because my husband's parents live in Wisconsin and we take the presents up there when we visit. The other part of it is to avoid the crowds.

"And when you shop early, you can find what they're wanting."

Store managers say they've seen more early customers, and retailers hope the momentum carries through the season.

A study by the National Retail Federation, a trade organization for the retail industry, said the average consumer plans to spend $671.89 this year, up from $648.85 last year.

The NRF projects that holiday sales will increase 5.7 percent this year to $217.4 billion. That would be the largest increase since 1999.

John Mehner, the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce director, said city sales taxreceipts have shown increases of at least 7 percent in the last two months.

Trey Noles, an assistant manager at the Jackson Wal-Mart, said sales have been up in the last two weeks as he has watched many customers walk out of the store with big items.

Brandon Ivey, the manager at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, agreed that buying has sped up this month. He said the Westfield Works Wonders charity shopping event on Sunday saw the greatest success of its six-year history.

Kent Zickfield and Mike Yaeger, downtown business owners, said business by the river has not significantly increased.

Zickfield said there has been some increase in his gift shop, but not much at his jewelry store.

"It depends on the product you're selling," he said.

Yaeger, owner of the home decor shop Renaissance, and other retailers across Cape Girardeau and Jackson said they expect another big increase in shoppers once the weather turns colder.

Pat Reuber, of St. Louis, is one of those shoppers who doesn't wait for the weather to turn. She has purchased gifts throughout the year by targeting sales and estimates that 60 percent of her shopping is done.

Mary Ann DePeder of Cape Girardeau said she also has 60 percent of her shopping finished. The other 40 percent she knows what to buy but hasn't yet.

She shops early because of financial reasons. DePeder watches for sales beginning in July and buys in bits and pieces.

"If you don't do that, it quickly takes the fun out of Christmas," she said.

bmiller@semissourian.com

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