Democrat and Chronicle
On the last weekend before Christmas, holiday shoppers were out in full force Saturday, considered one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Retailers said this shopping season has been better than last year, but the bar was set low. The financial crisis that began last year left merchants with one of their worst holiday seasons in memory.
Conditions — and attitudes — are better this year, said Daniel Mejak, operations manager at Parkleigh, an upscale shop at South Goodman Street and Park Avenue.
"People are still tentative this year, but they're tired of being afraid," he said Saturday amid the hustle and bustle in his store. "They want to buy things for their loved ones. Everyone is happy, and they have smiles on their faces."
Mejak said Saturday was "way busier" than Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Employees were directing traffic in and out of the parking lot, as is common at the store during the holiday season.
Retailers have reason for some optimism in this week leading up to Christmas. Shoppers don't seem as far along in their gift-buying as they were last year at this point, according to both the National Retail Federation and the International Council of Shopping Centers.
According to a National Retail Federation survey, the average person had completed 46.7 percent of their holiday shopping by the second week of December, less than the 47.1 percent completed by this time last year. This is the lowest percentage since 2004, when the average person had completed 46.3 percent of their shopping by the same period, the NRF said.
Retailers said this shopping season has been better than last year, but the bar was set low. The financial crisis that began last year left merchants with one of their worst holiday seasons in memory.
Conditions — and attitudes — are better this year, said Daniel Mejak, operations manager at Parkleigh, an upscale shop at South Goodman Street and Park Avenue.
"People are still tentative this year, but they're tired of being afraid," he said Saturday amid the hustle and bustle in his store. "They want to buy things for their loved ones. Everyone is happy, and they have smiles on their faces."
Mejak said Saturday was "way busier" than Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Employees were directing traffic in and out of the parking lot, as is common at the store during the holiday season.
Retailers have reason for some optimism in this week leading up to Christmas. Shoppers don't seem as far along in their gift-buying as they were last year at this point, according to both the National Retail Federation and the International Council of Shopping Centers.
According to a National Retail Federation survey, the average person had completed 46.7 percent of their holiday shopping by the second week of December, less than the 47.1 percent completed by this time last year. This is the lowest percentage since 2004, when the average person had completed 46.3 percent of their shopping by the same period, the NRF said.
Jim Hofford, manager of The Mall at Greece Ridge, said sales have been steady since Black Friday
Those last-minute shoppers include Francesca Schneider of Rochester, who was at Parkleigh on Saturday. "I have one person to buy for. It's always that way," said Schneider, 22. "I want to find something original - something like plumeria jewelry."
John Reese of Rochester said he hadn't expected to be shopping Saturday, but said the pressure was on.
"I have to get gifts for two people because I just found out that they were getting me something," said Reese, 27. "I've already been to the mall, and I have no ideas."
Retail experts have differing forecasts on how this season will shape up. The National Retail Federation predicts that holiday sales will decline 1 percent from last year, but ShopperTrak — a Chicago research firm that tracks sales at more than 50,000 stores — is projecting 1.6 percent in growth.
Officials at area malls said they were prepared for an onslaught of shoppers this weekend. Jim Hofford, manager of The Mall at Greece Ridge, said sales have been steady since Black Friday. He also said the return of more seasonable weather has made shoppers more enthusiastic.
"This last bit of snow has put everybody more in the mood," he said.
Mike Wilmot, manager of The Marketplace mall in Henrietta, said shoppers have been holding on to their money until the last minute because they still are leery about the economy.
The Marketplace has extended hours, opening daily through Thursday at 8 a.m.
Wilmot said shoppers can better avoid crowds by coming early — but many don't.
"It seems like year-in and year-out, they show up about 1 p.m., and they're frustrated with the traffic," he said.
