By STEPHANIE A. JAMES
Staff Writer
With Christmas fast approaching, some retailers have experienced holiday sales growth while others have seen a slight decrease in sales compared to this time last year.
Those who are experiencing a decrease are optimistic that sales will pick up in the next week or so.
Peebles Assistant Manager Susan Kennedy said business has been a little slower than previous years but better than she expected it.
"Sales have been good. They have been keeping steady," Kennedy said.
Top sellers at Peebles include BBQ lighters, key chains, candles, Christmas ornaments, men's sweaters, ladies sweaters, jewelry and shoes.
"We really pick up Christmas Eve," said Kennedy, adding that the store opens at 7 a.m. and the store stays busy throughout the day.
For Country Charm, business has been better than expected, said owner Gerri Granato.
"It is a wee bit better than last year," said Granato. "We have been very blessed this year."
The store sells a variety of items including personalized totes and pocketbooks.
So far, top sellers at Country Charm are handcrafted items.
Similar to Country Charm's holiday experience, Marvin Mitchell, owner of Elliott Florist and Gifts said that sales are better than last year.
"I have been pleased and thankful," said Mitchell.
Bobby Shupe, owner of B&L Sales, noted that although sales have been slightly down this year compared to last year at this time, the store has sustained decent sales.
"We have been blessed this year. They have been pretty good," Shupe said.
With a down economy, Shupe said that he and his wife and co-owner Linda try to give the best deals.
"We try to get items that are affordable for people," Shupe said.
Shupe said that the store was busy the day of the parade and other Christmas festivities that were held on Dec. 4
He expresses gratitude for Liberty Baptist Church for bringing the synthetic ice skating rink downtown.
Shupe said that top sellers include hats, jewelry, handbags and jelly.
Just like some other local businesses, Betty Oehrlein, owner of Jefferson Galleries, said that revenues so far have been better than last year.
"People have been buying flags as Christmas presents," said Oehrlein, adding that flags of all seasons are kept in stock year around.
Other top sellers include art supplies, sketchbooks and how to books such as the ones that feature instructions to learn calligraphy.
Owner of Wilkes Jewelry Wayne Simpson also said that there has been a slight increase in sales this year over last year.
"We are very happy. Business is good. Sales are very good. We have been blessed to continue the sales this year," Simpson stated.
Along with increased watch buying, Simpson said that the new line of sterling silver jewelry called Kameleon has done exceptionally well in sales. Kameleon has been sold in the United States for only four years.