University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, November 28, 1990
5
Hard times haven't hurt sales
By Carol Krekeler
Kansan staff writer
Even though the national economy seems to be taking a turn for the worse, shoppers in Lawrence are spending about the same amount of money as they did during last year's holiday season, some merchants said.
"We are in a stable area here," said Win Campbell, owner of Campbell's Clothing, 814 Massachusetts St. "The Lawrence area does not demonstrate typically what is happening on the national level."
"It seems to me that people have their lists very well formulated," he said.
Campbell said he had noticed that people were less spontaneous about their purchases this year.
clothing is a necessity and sells well even when people are experiencing economic setbacks. Cambell said.
George Paley, owner of Natural Way Natural Fiber Clothing, 820 Massachusetts St., said the Lawrence riverfront Plaza, 710 Massachusetts St., which opened this year, had enhanced his business this holiday season.
"I think it has potential to help everyone," he said. David Longhurst, manager of the plaza, said sales had been high this year because many shoppers wanted to buy their gifts at discount prices.
"It seems that people are looking to places like factory outlets to do their shopping," he said.
He said most shoppers at the plaza were from other cities and states.
Mindy Spector, Overland Park senior, said the national economic crunch would have little effect on how she handles it.
"I won't be affecting me much because I have just as little money as I did last year," she said. "I think I'll be happy."
Spector said she usually spent between $15 and $20 for a gift.
Jim Finnegan, Overland Park freshman, also said he spent about $20 a gift.
Finnegan said that difficult economic times could be ahead but that he still would spend about the same amount of money on gifts as he did last year.
However, downtown shoppers will have an added expense this year.
Expense this year.
Free parking will not be available downtown this
Careful planning necessary to avoid post-holiday debts
Kansan staff report
Holiday shoppers beware
Without careful planning and will power, those green- and red-tirred items in stores could leave store owners with all the green and shoppers in the red after the holiday season.
Julia Pitner, director of the Consumer Affairs Association of Lawrence, 700 Massachusetts St. offered these tips to help shoppers get the most for their money:
- Plan a careful budget based on the total amount you want to spend this holiday season.
- Start your shopping expedition with a detailed list of what to buy for each person and how much you are going to spend.
- ■ Charge as little as possible. Many credit companies offer a Christmas bonus, featuring deferred billing and higher credit limits. By deferring your bill until February, the company will reduce your money over the course of months in interest charges.
- When buying electronic items, check the warranties. Some items do not offer a warranty, and others offer very limited guarantees.
holiday season, said Campbell, who is a member of the Downtown Lawrence Association.
In past years, downtown merchants have paid the city about $5,000 to provide customers free parking from the store.
This year, the association did not move early enough to get the meters hooded, Campbell said.
He said the association also had reservations about paying for free parking again because employees had taken advantage of it in past years by not keeping spaces available for customers.
"I think it is unfortunate that we decided not to hood the meters because I think it is kind of a holiday gift," he said.
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