Stores prepare for holiday season but keep close eye on economy

With 50 days until Christmas, local retailers are ready for holiday shoppers.

"I think everybody is still cautious but hopeful," said Cape Girardeau J.C. Penney store manager Sarah Grigaitis.

The National Retail Federation recently forecast a 2.3 percent increase in holiday retail sales this year. But companies are still paying close attention to unemployment rates and consumer confidence.

"Unemployment is still high, and many consumers are not really in the mood or have the wherewithal to consider significant increases in their holiday spending," said Bruce Domazlicky, director of the Center for Economic and Business Research at Southeast Missouri State University.

Some job seekers may be able to find temporary employment this holiday season as many stores are adding part-time jobs.

T.J. Maxx women's merchandise coordinator Kendra Jordan works on recovery Thursday in Cape Girardeau.

J.C. Penney will hire 86 seasonal workers this year, Grigaitis said, which is twice as many as in 2009.

"There is more hiring across the board this year, and that will help everybody looking for jobs," Grigaitis said.

Her store is preparing by increasing its inventory, adding more gift items. Along with holiday decor, they've added small kitchen appliances, remote control toys, and beauty and fragrance items. The store is also bulking up its sweater department with more sizes and colors than before, she said.

J.C. Penney's Cape Girardeau store saw sales hold steady from 2008 to 2009, but Grigaitis said she is feeling more positive about this year's numbers.

T.J. Maxx is excited about its first holiday season in Cape Girardeau, company spokeswoman Laura McDowell said.

She said holiday shoppers love a bargain, and that's what T.J. Maxx is all about.

"Value has become the new mindset," she said. "Shoppers are smart. They don't want to overpay. They know they can get quality merchandise at lower prices here on the same brand names sold elsewhere."

West Park Mall is getting several temporary tenants and will be 100 percent leased for the holiday season, said Susan Godorov, vice president of marketing for Centro Properties Group.

Opening next week is one new permanent tenant, Pro Image, a licensed sports apparel store.

Holiday season tenants include Kitchen Collection, Rudolph & Me, Hickory Farms, Auto Trim Design, Terry's Embroidery, Holy Land Gifts, Soy Naturals and Beggs Family Farm. Santa will be available for photos at Santa's Candy Court inside West Park Mall beginning Nov. 20.

While the mall will be closed Thanksgiving Day, its Old Navy store is giving shoppers a head start on Black Friday by opening Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and reopening at midnight for Black Friday.

At J.C. Penney, Grigaitis said she expects the Cape Girardeau store to do half a million dollars in sales on Black Friday when the store will be open from 4 a.m. to midnight.

"It's always so much fun," she said. "The customers are fantastic, it's all about fun to them and this is a tradition. We see the merchandise start to just fly,"

Toys "R" Us isn't waiting until Black Friday to offer big discounts, according to Adrienne Giordano, Toys "R" Us spokeswoman.

"Eager holiday shoppers can stretch their dollars even farther during our two-day sale this weekend," she said.

This Friday and Saturday some toys will be up to 50 percent off including buy one, get one half off video games.

Giordano wouldn't comment on any sales trends for the Cape Girardeau store specifically.

mmiller@semissourian.com

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Pertinent addresses:

3049 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO

201 Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO

308 Siemers Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO