Soaring sales leave merchants smiling

Dec 03, 2006 03:12:51

Soaring sales leave merchants smiling But many 'crazy busy' retailers struggling to find enough staff The Edmonton Journal Published: Monday, November 27, 2006 EDMONTON - Edmonton stores are riding the economic boom into another strong Christmas season. Shoppers appear to be picking up lots of big ticket items, from $5,000 diamond rings to big-screen TVs. For many stores, finding customers isn't the problem -- finding staff is. Doug Kassian, manager of King's Fine Jewelry in Southgate Shopping Centre, said the mall was "crazy busy" Sunday and retailers are probably looking at 10- to 20-per-cent sales growth this season over last. "They say Christmas starts in December, but I think it started in July this year." More of Kassian's customers are buying bigger ticket items this year, two-carat diamond rings instead of one carat, for example. "Where they used to spend $1,000, they're spending $2,000 or $5,000. The economy is the biggest reason, and we're a luxury business, so we fit in there with big-screen TVs and travel. "When things are good, people tend to choose between jewelry and a trip to the Bahamas." Kassian's got the staff he needs for the Christmas season but said 50 to 60 per cent of the mall's stores are looking for help. "We're a little different because we like to hire people for the long-term so they learn the business." Giselle Warrington, manager at Canadian Tire Kingsway, said her store is doing "phenomenally well" so far. "Even the cold weather is not keeping people away. Our customer count is up every day and they are spending money. I think it's because more people have moved to Edmonton this year." The store has had the same periodic staffing shortages as many other businesses, but it hasn't affected sales, Warrington said. Air tools sell well near Christmas at Princess Auto, and they're moving more than ever this year, according to manager Toby Simonsen. "We are very busy, but it is hard to find staff," she said. "We are making do with what we have, but it would be nice to have more." Customer numbers are up this season, but Simonsen said that may be partly due to more people discovering the new west-end location. It's been a very good season so far for When Pigs Fly, a kitchen and gift store on Whyte Avenue, manager Judith Goranson said. "The cold weather's knocked us back a bit, but our regulars are still coming in because they know they can get something special here." The store has also benefited from the large number of out-of-towners browsing Whyte Avenue for gifts, she said. The manager at Luv N Stuff, a West Edmonton Mall shop, said the booming economy has been responsible for a good year at the store and that has carried into the Christmas season. They've been getting lots of couples from out of town who want to spice up their Christmas shopping weekend, she said. Thursday's blizzard hurt business at the mall, but the rest of the weekend was great, said the manager, who was not allowed to give her name. dfinlayson@thejournal.canwest.com © The Edmonton Journal 2006