Voorhees Sun

By ROBERT LINNEHAN | The Voorhees Sun
Local retailers are cautiously optimistic leading into the holiday shopping season, as Voorhees business owners are predicting their holiday sales to surpass those of last year.
Retail expert Dr. Carol Kaufman-Scarborough, a professor of marketing and associate dean of undergraduate programs at the Rutgers University School of Business in Camden, said retailers could expect a more confident – and educated – consumer this holiday shopping season.
This season certainly has the potential, she said, to be bigger than the last.
Consumers this season will be looking for the bargain deal and have started their shopping earlier than most years. According to the International Council of Shopping Centers, more than two-thirds of consumers have already started their holiday season shopping in some facet.
Consumers aren’t waiting until the last minute, she said, because they hope to take advantage of early shopping season deals retailers are offering.
“Consumers know that waiting until the last minute might not be the savviest strategy to stretch your dollars,” Kaufman-Scarborough said. “Customers are looking for ways to save this season. Retailers need to make sure they’re aggressive about promoting the way you provide your customers with savings.”
Economic Development Director Mike Marchitto said local retailers in the township are hoping their sales stay the same from last season and don’t dip below that rate.
An increase by about 1 to 2 percent from last year also isn’t out of the question, he said.
Even if sales stay flat, he said, many would still consider it to be a win in this economy. People are still wary to stray off their budgets, he said.
“If we can remain the same as last year, it’s a positive. If you stay flat or are up 1 to 2 percent, it’d be great,” Marchitto said.
Lori Anzivino, marketing director for the Voorhees Town Center, said that while some national media outlets are predicting that retail sales actually decline from last year, retailers in the Town Center are confident their sales figures will rise this season.
“The National Retail Federation projects holiday retail industry sales to decline 1 percent this year, however, the Voorhees Town Center is optimistic and believes spending may increase slightly due to our customers taking advantage of holiday promotions, coupons and sales being offered this holiday season by our key retailers,” she said.
On Black Friday, Nov. 27, the center will open its doors early to shoppers and offer special discounts, giveaways, gifts, refreshments, and prizes all day, Anzivino said.
The center will also have extended shopping hours every day during the holiday shopping season starting on Black Friday, she said.
Also, from Nov. 27 to Dec. 13 any shopper who spends more than $75 can bring their receipt to the Town Center’s mall management office to be entered into a $25,000 holiday sweepstakes contest.
Entries are limited to three a day per shopper and every entry comes with a free candy bar gift.
She also advised shoppers to keep track of the special deals and events on the center’s Web site at Voorheestowncenter.com.