FLORENCE – With the economy tanking, retailers prepared for both the rush of the Christmas shopping season and the possibility of record-low sales.
They had reasons to both hope and fear as many retailers make a big percentage of their annual profit during the holiday season.
"I think there was a lot of uncertainty with shoppers and retailers not sure how the season was going to end up," Mackenzie Webb, Magnolia Mall representative, said.
The Christmas rush is normally what retailers like Pro Image look forward to each year, but with record high unemployment rates across the area, store manager Brad Owens was uneasy.
"We were thinking it would be like the rest of the year, slow and way down from what we were last year," Owens said.
While the final numbers aren't in the, projected outlook is out.
"I feel relieved. It was better than expected," Owens said.
The 75 stores at Magnolia Mall expect an overall increase in sales over last season, Webb said.
"It's a fantastic story to be able to tell that we were able to hold our own in an economy that is really struggling," Webb said.
While their biggest shopping rush is nearing its end, Owens said he hopes the strong retail performance in the Pee Dee continues because money spent at his and other stores also determines salaries, wages and employment rates.
Webb said mall officials expect to have their final sales numbers available in mid January.
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