With shoppers finding deep discounts, Denver-area retailers appear to have bucked the national trend of weak sales in the final weekend before the Christmas holiday.
“It was jam-packed,” said Heather Drake, senior marketing manager for FlatIron Crossing in Broomfield. “There were tons of people with lots of bags in hand. There was really great energy in the mall, more of that hustle and bustle that we typically see.”
But nationwide, overall retail traffic was down by up to 10 percent, and malls were hit hardest, with traffic down by as much as 35 percent, said Britt Beemer of America’s Research Group.
“Gift-card sales were underwhelming,” Bee mer said. “People bought the deals. If you were advertising great deals, you got the shoppers. If you weren’t advertising great deals, you didn’t.”
Independent retailers fared better than chain stores, Beemer said, and retailers on Denver’s Larimer Square were no exception.
“We had good traffic all weekend long, and I’m very happy to say I’m remaining present and positive,” said Roxanne Thurman, owner of Cry Baby Ranch.
Scarpaletto owner Ilene Vivinetto said discounts early on left mall retailers with little inventory to choose from, so customers flocked to her store over the weekend.
“We haven’t really done any discounts, so we still have good inventory,” she said. “Sunday was a little quiet with the Broncos losing. If the Broncos win, we do better business. People are happy, and they’re hanging out and shopping.”
But discounts worked in favor of retailers at Twenty Ninth Street in Boulder, said Lori Giggey, the shopping center’s marketing manager. Ann Taylor Loft had a “buy-one-get- one-free” sale, and Lucy advertised 40 percent off items that already were discounted.
“It seemed like people are either already finished or are waiting until the last minute and waiting for the deal,” Giggey said.
Beemer said the only winner this year among the 26 national chains he tracks is Wal-Mart.
“They’ve been the home run every weekend this Christmas season,” he said. “I’ve never seen this in my life. Basically, you’ve got a season where if you’re a retailer and you’re down 10 percent, you’re lucky.”
Margaret Jackson: 303-954-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com
