ATLANTA – As retailers prepare for the all important holiday season, consumers may be in for a treat. Retailers are enticing customers with more discounts, special offers, early sales and issuing gift cards. With stagnant consumer spending and unstable consumer confidence, retailers are doing everything in their power to draw the crowds including advancing the holiday sales.
“This could be a great time for shoppers with all the offers and sales starting much earlier than usual,” said Greg Maloney, CEO and President of Jones Lang LaSalle Retail. “Due to the high price of gas we are seeing shoppers making fewer trips to the mall but when they do decide to shop they are focusing on the ‘need to have’ products like groceries and essential household goods. Retailers in the luxury goods or clothing markets and restaurants are providing some incredible offers to persuade these shoppers to spend beyond the necessities.”
Some stores such as Macys, Target and Wal-Mart are already carrying Christmas merchandise on their shelves and are preparing early in order to make it into the black. With low consumer confidence levels and retail sales figures remaining in flux retailers are anticipating a difficult run up to the holidays. For consumers however there is an expectation for some outstanding post Christmas sales as well as great offers along the way.
“There are going to be many opportunities for consumers to get some great bargains this year but the choice of merchandise will be limited as retailers limit their buying,” said John Bemis, Director of Leasing and Development, Jones Lang LaSalle Retail. “Some retailers will go for major stock offloads during the holiday season in order to retain liquidity. If consumers take advantage of the offers out there they are in for a shopping bonanza in the coming weeks.”