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Top of Utah's Christmas sales look delightful, retailers say
By BRYON SAXTONLAYTON -- Some retail store operators in the Top of Utah are reporting they weathered the national economic storm this Christmas, listing low unemployment, newly remodeled stores and friendly customer service as secrets to their success.
Although final sales figures won't be available until mid-January, based on perception and cash register receipts, many retailers were pleased with their Christmas sales despite a gloomy forecast, said Brent Parkin, Newgate Mall general manager.
"There were actually stores that had increases (compared to 2007 sales)," said Parkin, who surveyed stores in the Ogden mall after Christmas.
"We had a really fresh look inside the mall -- that really helped us," he said of eight mall stores that were new or had been remodeled before the Christmas season.
Sales in the mall food court were also up about 10 percent compared with 2007, Parkin said.
Based on national trends, people who eat out are found to be more inclined to eat at a fast-food establishment rather than a fine-dining restaurant when the economy is tight, he said.
Some fashion-trendy apparel stores and shoe stores in the mall also experienced increases over 2007, Parkin said.
Beginning in mid-December, once the colder weather and snow arrived, Parkin said, stores selling outerwear experienced a drastic increase in sales, while sporting goods stores also enjoyed good sales.
"We did significantly better than the rest of the country," Parkin said, pointing to the state's lower-than-national unemployment rate and the fact that Newgate is the only fashion/retail mall in Weber and Box Elder counties.
The Ogden mall also draws customers from Davis County because of stores like Dillard's and Sears, he said.
Other locally owned Ogden stores that had good Christmas sales were Times Ticking and Bliss, a shop that sells formal wear.
Alterations, variety and customer service made it a "really good" Christmas for the store, said Kylie Beckstead, Bliss store clerk.
Times Ticking, with stores in Newgate and Layton Hills Mall, offers unique watches and full-service watch and clock repair. Store owner Jared Foster said its Christmas season topped 2007 sales.
"We have every (watch) battery on the planet," said Foster, who credits the store's success to its good reputation, mall promotions, visible locations and recent remodel in the Newgate Mall.
The Quilted Bear, with locations in Midvale, Provo and Ogden, enjoyed mixed success.
"Gift card sales were up," said Ogden store manager Darren Dunford. But, he said, sales for the recently remodeled Ogden store were not where he wanted them to be.
"It certainly could have been worse," Dunford said. "For us to be successful, we have to hope for the best. We plan to be here a long time."
ShopKo and Target store officials declined to comment on Christmas sales. A Target spokeswoman, based at the store's corporate offices in Minneapolis, said its stores would be releasing sales figures Jan. 8.
Layton Hills Mall officials could not be reached for comment.
One locally owned Layton business that did better this Christmas than chief economists had projected for the season was Music to the Maxx, 3090 N. Fairfield Road.
"We were very pleased with how our sales were," said store manager Greg Larsen.
The music store relocated about six months ago and, through newspaper advertising, was able to bring in its local customer base, Larsen said.
"You can always do more," he said regarding the way sales went. But after staring at the "economic woe" that had been forecast before Christmas, he said he is pleased with the way his store performed.
Two things contributing to the success, Larsen said, was a loyal customer base after doing business in Layton for 15 years and sales of movies and CDs, "relatively inexpensive gifts."
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Good thing santa is gone and sales are up! Now if we could find a way to create a way rekill christ and make it ALL about the sales, ya know, that whole christian thing, get rid of this last destraction! Keep christ and santa outa christmas!
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