Last-minute holiday shoppers hit stores with one week left

Packed parking lots and shoppers standing in long lines carrying bags are all signs of a strong holiday shopping season seen in Cape Girardeau this weekend.

But some shoppers seem to be spending less this holiday season, while others are spending more, local retailers say.

"This year electric, food and gas prices all went up. That takes what little extra there is," said Holly Thomas of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., who was shopping at Toys R Us in Cape Girardeau on Friday.

Thomas said she set a slightly smaller budget for holiday gifts for her four children this year and plans to stick to it. She's not alone.

Year over year comparisons show retail sales decreased 1.9 percent during the first full week of December, according to national retail research firm ShopperTrak. But since then, shoppers have been spending more. The week ending Dec. 10 showed a 10.6 percent increase in retail sales from the previous week.

Known to retailers as "Super Saturday," this Saturday was expected to be the biggest shopping day since Black Friday, according to ShopperTrak, which measures foot traffic in 25,000 stores in the U.S. and blends those figures with economic data.

"I'm always a last-minute shopper," said Thomas, who planned to do all her holiday shopping this weekend.

Electronic items topped her list, including a Kindle Fire, Nintendo DS3 and MP3 players.

Elizabeth Hawkins of Sikeston, Mo., said she was behind in her Christmas shopping, which in previous years she's started in July.

"This year I'm doing it all in one day," she said.

Some of the season's top shopping days are still yet to come, including Dec. 19, 22, 23 and 26.

"I think Christmas is still coming. It's not in full swing yet," said Jayne Ervin, owner of Jayson Jewelers. "We really don't get busy until the last 10 days till Christmas. That's when the men start to shop. They don't think about it too much before then."

Those customers who have come in for Christmas gifts seem to be spending a little more this year, she said.

"They're not quite as conservative," Ervin said.

Andrew Bentlage of Shivelbine's Music Store agreed that customers are willing to dig a little deeper in their wallets this Christmas.

"They're a little more free with their money this year. Last year it seemed like everybody was still a little shaky, but the only way we're going to get the economy going again is by spending money," he said.

ShopperTrak is projecting a moderate increase of 3 percent in holiday spending this year, but that's still less than the 4.1 percent year over year increase from 2009 to 2010.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.