Shopping Center Owner Expects Good Business From Holiday Shoppers
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Will superstorm Sandy and the economy have a negative effect on holiday shopping? Not if you ask one local shopping center owner.
WCBS 880's Levon Putney On The Story
Podcast
Going into the holiday shopping season…, almost 54 percent of retailers at Levin Management's shopping centers in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania report the same or higher sales than last year.
"Last year was an increase as well. So we see that as a good indicator going into the holiday season," said Levin President and CEO Matthew Harding.
But another indicator is the fact that only 15 percent of retailers expect the peak of sales to come around the Black Friday and Thanksgiving weekend.
60 percent say they their peak will come between mid-December and Christmas.
"I think that's a trend," he told WCBS 880 reporter Levon Putney. "More people have been trained, we think, by the retailers to wait to the end of the season where there are the greatest promotions. and so therefore, our poll validated that."
According to that poll, almost 70 percent think sales will be the same or higher than last year, but only 18 percent expect to add staff for the holidays. Over 70 percent say they'll keep the current employee levels.
He added that 80 percent of retailers say that e-commerce has had either no impact or a positive impact on their sales.
Are you planning any holiday shopping? Share your plan below.
