|
Illinois Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Rob Karr
said the day after Thanksgiving has always been important, but
things are evolving.
“Historically it was called Black Friday because it was the day
at which retailers went into the black over the year, the rest
of the year they had operated in the red,” Karr told The Center
Square. “Obviously that doesn’t quite hold true, but the moniker
has stuck. People started their Christmas shopping earlier.
Retailers started offering discounts earlier this year than ever
before.”
Karr said he’s hearing healthy activity across his membership.
“Obviously we encourage shoppers to shop and they are turning
out,” Karr said. “They turned out in record numbers over the
Black Friday weekend following Thanksgiving and it appears they
continue to shop.”
Projections differ on how strong of a shopping season this year
will be. Karr said the indication is that there will be between
5% to 8% higher numbers than the previous year, not because of
inflation but in spite of it.
There are deals to be had.
“But I would also encourage shoppers to take advantage of when
they see them,” Karr said. “The days that we had several years
ago where you waited things out for things to get steeper are
probably gone. That’s just not the way it’s gonna work, nor has
it worked the last several years.”
After the last two-plus years of COVID-19, Karr said this
holiday shopping season is crucial for retailers and they’re
meeting consumers’ demands.
“It’s always important. I think what was interesting is how
quickly businesses, particularly retailers and small retailers,
pivoted to providing alternatives to consumers both curbside and
delivery through online options,” Karr said. “Consumers want all
of those options. They want all of the above and retailers are
providing all of those above options.”
Greg Bishop reports on Illinois government and
other issues for The Center Square. Bishop has years of
award-winning broadcast experience and hosts the WMAY Morning
Newsfeed out of Springfield.
|
|
