Extras

Photos

Kaitlynn Portner, 12 and her aunt, Tracy Kingsley, both of New Carlisle, look at Vera Bradley all-in-one-wristlets on Black Friday at Occasionally Yours in the Mall at Fairfield Commons on Nov. 28. Kingsley says, 'This is my favorite store, so I had to bring her here.' Staff photo by Peter WineClick to enlarge

BEAVERCREEK — R. Todd Bettman said he was encouraged by the shopper turnout Friday, Nov. 28, in his Occasionally Yours store at the Mall at Fairfield Commons, and hoped it signaled an upturn for the holiday sales season.

It was a busy day for Bettman, who also watched sales at his companion store at The Greene; opened a third store this weekend at Hamilton Town Center near Indianapolis, and is on the verge of opening a fourth at Easton Town Center in Columbus.

He and other retail executives interviewed on Friday declined to reveal their sales figures, but said they were hopeful for improved business during this critical season for retailers.

"We're up over 50 percent today from Black Friday a year ago," said Bettman, whose Occasionally Yours stores sell handbags, jewelry and other gifts. "No question, there's pent-up demand.

"We're in strange financial times. People haven't been spending in the last six, eight weeks," he said. "I think we're ready to go out and spend."

Economic forecasters have predicted a weak holiday sales season because of the nation's economic slump, widespread layoffs and a sharp drop in consumer spending. Black Friday has been so named because the day after Thanksgiving is viewed as a big sales day that has been known to tip retailers into the black for the year.

At the Meijer store near Wright State University, shoppers snapped up goods that had been featured in "doorbuster deals" ads, including consumer electronics products, pillows and comforters, and tree-trimming items, said Clyde Munger, the store's second-shift director.

Ugg boots and other footwear were selling briskly at the upscale Von Maur store which opened Sept. 13 at The Greene, store manager Dana Stock said.

Judy Wyatt, owner of the Whispers Home store in Oakwood, said she was able to spur business on Friday with an advance letter to 2,000 customers on her mailing list that offered half-price-off on one item of the shopper's choice.

It was the first offer of its type in the seven years her business has operated, Wyatt said.

Her store's October results beat the total in the same month last year, but the November results may lag the 2007 total, so the December performance is key, Wyatt said.

She had seven employees on duty Friday — up from the usual three — opened the doors an hour early and saw steady sales of linens, lingerie and bedding.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or

jnolan@DaytonDailyNews.com.