Shoppers opening their wallets this season
Retail sales continue to be strong at the Maine Mall in South Portland and in downtown Portland following a rosy Black Friday, according to people familiar with both shopping areas.
"Anecdotally it appears that it would be record spending," Craig Gorris, Maine Mall's general manager, says. "Many [stores] have reported sales up 5, 10, 15, 20%, depending on the retailer."
While Gorris won't have hard sales figures from the holiday shopping season until January, he says "four out of five conservatively have reported sales exceeding the last few years." Some other shops are seeing sales consistent with past years, he adds.
Janis Beitzer, executive director of Portland's Downtown District, says she heard positive news from store owners. "We're definitely hearing good numbers. I can't say they're record breaking ... but this is definitely a stronger-than-expected retail season." While sales appear to be up over last year, Beitzer adds they're not equal to pre-recession numbers.
Nationwide, this year's Black Friday -- the day that traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping spree -- broke records, according to the National Retail Federation. The annual deals drew a record 226 million shoppers over the Black Friday weekend, up from 212 million last year. The average holiday shopper spent $398.62, up from $365.34 last year, and total spending reached an estimated $52.4 billion.
Bietzer says in Maine that the recent spate of mild weather has helped lure shoppers outside to walk around downtown. She also figures that more individuals are feeling confident about their personal financial situations, and that many are attracted to Portland's boutiques because they wish to shop locally.
The Maine Crafts Association, which opened a seasonal store in the Maine Mall for the first time this year, says it has seen sales grow steadily since moving in at the end of May. Sadie Bliss, the association's director of markets, says the outlet's lower-priced items, such as its specialty foods, CDs of local musicians, books, cards and gift-type items, are moving more quickly than more expensive ones.
Gorris says sales have been particularly strong in electronics, personal care items and cosmetics, and that jewelry is making a comeback from last year.
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