WINTER WEATHER BRINGS OUT SHOPPERS

As the Christmas shopping season wears on, retailers had hoped for record sales over the weekend. Many expected the frigid weather and snow to boost holiday sales.

And they did.

Shoppers returned to the stores Saturday and Sunday after a hiatus Friday when about 4 inches of snow blanketed Southeast Missouri.

"It hurt us Friday," said Robin Ross, assistant manager at Waldenbooks in West Park Mall. "But it also brought the Christmas spirit out. Saturday we were swamped."

The snow didn't have a tremendous effect on sales since stores would normally be busy with holiday shoppers anyway, Ross said.

"We would be busy anyhow," she said. "If it's cold they come out, but not if it's bad weather."

Retailers hope for even bigger sales next weekend.

Despite the lull in frenzied shopping Friday, cold weather items were hot sellers among those who braved the snow.

Target sold out of most cold-weather products like snow shovels, de-icers and salt, but expects another shipment today.

"The snow kept some people in Friday," said Jerry Cady, assistant store manager at JCPenney. "But with the cold we started selling some coats and gloves that we were having trouble selling when it was 70 degrees."

So far, December sales have been a little slow at the store, Cady said, adding that November ended well.

But with two weeks left until Christmas, Cady expects more of the procrastinators to hit the stores next weekend.

"We were down Friday but rebounded once it cleared up," said Target manager Rodney Hall.

While shoppers didn't hit the mall, many rented videos at area stores and stayed indoors.

Videos 'N' Creme employees said sales were best during the day but slowed down after dark.

"People just don't want to get out, so we do," said Shawn Motes, manager at Domino's Pizza. Drivers delivered more pizzas than normal this weekend, he said.