Retail sales fell again in October, compared to last year. Now the holiday shopping season is underway and retailers are counting on a big season. Stores hoped to get a little boost with Halloween sales, but they didn't sell enough ghosts and goblins to help their bottom line.
Holiday traffic is predicted to drop more than four percent from last year. But the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce is continuing to their shop our member’s campaign to draw customers to local businesses. The hope is to keep them from spending their money out of the area, something business owners hope they do.
Frame of Mind in the Lake Arrowhead area of Myrtle Beach is serves mainly a local clientele. Owner Sylvia Waterston said locals make up about 60 percent of her business. She hopes people understand how important it is to buy locally. "If you don't support your local businesses and it's just the big boxes, then you're not gong to have the diversity," said Waterston.
Waterston said business is way down from last year so she started selling online and her cyber business is really picking up fast. "I've really started promoting the internet, probably in the past 3 or 4 months and it has really increased a lot,” said Waterston. “But, I did it because the brick and mortar was slowing down and I needed to bring in some additional revenue."
Many of Waterston's customers serve tourists such as theaters and restaurants. She hopes they spend money during the off season to spruce up their businesses. As for her store, she plans to continue her sales to make it easier for people to buy.
The Chamber plans to promote the shop or members campaign through December 20th. http://www.shopourmembers.com
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