Many locally owned stores on State Street reported increased sales from the traditionally heavy post-Thanksgiving shopping weekend, indicating a positive start to the crucial holiday retail season.
Managers and owners said Sunday they sold more merchandise than the same weekend last year, for which they were grateful since smaller stores make a substantial amount of their yearly profit during the holiday season.
\This past Friday was probably the best one we've had ever,"" said Tony Badame, owner of Sacred Feather, 417 State St.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is not as important for small stores because they do not offer slashed discounts and extended hours as chains do, according to Craig Amacker, assistant manager of Fontana's, 251 State St. He added, however, they rely on the Christmas season in general.
""Retailers in general make a fair chunk of their profit for the year at Christmas time,"" he said.
Badame said his hat shop makes 40 percent of its yearly sales in December. Soren Schoff, manager of Canterbury Booksellers, 315 W. Gorham St., said his store usually doubles its monthly sales in December. After looking over the books Sunday, he saw business this weekend was up about 10 percent compared to last year.
Badame and Schoff had a guess as to why business improved, but Amacker said the end of the Johnson Street construction and the colder weather boosted sales. People get more excited about buying skis and outerwear when the temperature drops, he said.
While this weekend was successful, Schoff said it remains to be seen whether the entire season will trump last year's.
""You don't want to count your chickens,"" he said.
Badame agreed, saying it is too early to tell. But Amacker, who has worked at Fontana's for 10 years, predicted a better season than last year.
""It's going to be a decent Christmas season; it's probably not going to be off the charts but compared to last year ... we're definitely going to see a lot more spending,"" he said.
Small stores usually cannot compete price-wise with chains, but they do press other advantages to Christmas shoppers. Schoff said the store's close proximity to campus is a main draw for students with no transportation.
They also offer a more knowledgeable staff and special events, he said. This month they host Reading in the Window, where customers can sign up for two-hour shifts of sitting and reading in the window display. They get $10 dollar gift certificates, but half the people donate them back to charity.
Sacred Feather also focuses on customer satisfaction, Badame said. The store benefits from its niche market, as it is the only hat store in Madison.
""I don't do any discounting for Christmas. I try to have good prices all year round, good service,"" he said.
