Holiday sales worth celebrating among local retailers

BEDFORD/SACKVILLE
By Kevin Toal - The Weekly News
Despite widespread tales of economic gloom, many local businesses saw healthy sales over the recent holiday season. For some retailers, business even improved.
Joanna Carroll, owner of Rustic Rooster Gift Shop, saw an increase in sales since moving to 745 Sackville Dr. in November 2008. The store sells economically priced crafts, jewelry, soaps, and home decor gifts. Located in the same mall as the Atlantic Superstore, Rustic Rooster has benefited from the influx of new customers while maintaining the loyalty of old ones.
"You'd never even know there is a recession out there," said Carroll, referring to holiday sales. "We already did have a large clientele, but grew out of the (previous) spot."
Popular items this season were barn stars - five point wooden stars of various sizes - for hanging indoors and out. Food scented candles also flew off the shelves. The store continued to be a favourite with children as Webkinz (stuffed animals with access codes to an Internet site), and their assorted accessories, contributed to a fifth of Carroll's sales.
Comfort & Joy, located at 1361 Bedford Hwy., experienced solid sales as well. Store manager, Glenn Martin noted that sales exceeded expectations.
"We offer many unique products, not available at large chain or box stores, at a mid-price range," he said. "And that tends to give a slight edge over our competitors. People are taking their time buying this year. They are thinking about each purchase more. I think that the lower price point retailers are feeling the pinch as well as the high-endstores. We seem to come in closer to the middle range and luckily have been less affected.
Martin explained that their best selling items were not only attractive but useful. Their top seller was the Fragrance Infusion Lamp which releases a selection of scents into a room. Other popular items included chrome kitchen accessories and Christmas decorations.
Across the road from Comfort & Joy at 1360 Bedford Hwy. sales were also brisk at Cricket on the Hearth Interiors. The holiday season is always popular with customers and owner Kathy Pierce.
"We always put a lot of effort into Christmas," Pierce said. "My husband and I are fanatics. This year we tried to rev it up even more. Sales have been pretty good. We're doing different things to keep sales up."
Customer appreciation specials and early Boxing Day sales starting on Dec 20, helped ensure a steady flow of business.
Whether or not every retailer was fortunate enough to see a profitable holiday season is unclear. At press time, the Sackville Drive Business Association was not able to report feedback from its members.
atoal@ns.sympatico.ca