Big increases reported at local stores

Despite a depressed economy, some Johnson County retailers say they are pleased with holiday sales and report double-digit increases over the same time last year.

U.S. Toy Co. in Leawood is seeing increased sales of at least 14 percent over last year, said CEO Jonathan Freiden.

“Overall, our store had a fantastic November and we’re looking very strong in December,” he said. “A lot of it is promotion driven; we were pretty aggressive with some promotional offerings and people took advantage of that.

“And it’s paying off in increased sales. We have had more traffic and visitors and that should bode well for the future.”

Freiden said the company’s catalog and Internet sales also are up by double digits, which he called a good sign for the economy.

“I’m positively optimistic heading into next year,” he said. “The third and fourth quarter (sales) have beaten our expectations. It didn’t make up for our first and second quarters, which were horrible, but I think we have turned a corner.

“I think consumers, and I can see it in our sales, are spending money. They want a deal, and they are being more careful and cautious about what they are buying, but things are definitely improved.”

Rainy Day Books, Fairway, also is on pace to see a 10 percent increase in sales compared to the 2008 holiday season, said owner Vivian Jennings. She said she believes many people are shopping within the county specifically to help stimulate the local economy.

“I think that people are really beginning to understand the importance of supporting community-based businesses,” she said. “People are actually saying that they appreciate all the authors we bring into the store and how we enrich the community. They tell us that’s why they want to give us their business.

“They’re saying they are aware of the impact that locally owned businesses have and how much more they reinvest into the community.”

Although Jennings will not know exact holiday sales numbers until after the end of the year, she said the store is experiencing increased revenues.

“A lot of it depends on when people are doing their shopping and whether (sales) will slow down at the end of the month,” she said. “Last year it was the heaviest at the end of the month. Right now, it seems like things are going well. Will it continue to be the same all month? Hard to say.”

She said people are spending money, but are being more careful in how they spend it.

“They want to get things and share and have a holiday, but they are being a lot more careful about how they are spending and that it’s something of value and worthwhile.

“We are having a great season. We’re pretty excited and feeling good about things, and the support the community is giving us is really very heartwarming.”

Jonny Girson, owner of The Learning Tree, a toy store with shops in Leawood and Prairie Village, said he also has seen a noticeable increase in customer traffic and sales this holiday season.

“Certainly we’re seeing an increase and we’re seeing a much better peace-of-mind (in customers) than we saw a year ago,” he said. “I think people are more comfortable spending money this year; they are not as concerned as they were a year ago. The people are more accustomed to where we are right now (in the economy).”

Girson said it’s store policy not to disclose sales percentages but added he is seeing new customers along with repeat customers, and they all are spending more wisely.

“They are much more informed now than they were a few years ago,” he said. “And one of the things we do is we help educate them about making the right decision. We are very careful to suggest someone not buy something if we think it’s inappropriate for the person they are buying it for.”

George Thompson, owner of Millsap Jewelry in Downtown Overland Park, said his business also is showing an increase in sales over last year.

“Our business is good,” he said. “I have a customer base I’ve built up over 40 years. I’m having better (holiday) sales this year over last year, at least a 10 percent increase.

“I have some big spenders that come into this store and they are spending it, too.”

Thompson said the increase in sales is a sign of an economic uptick.

“It might get dismal in January and February,” he said. “But just watch; people are going to bust loose and spend money here this Christmas. The consumers will turn the economy around. I don’t care how many stimulus packages they put out there, it’s going to take the people (to improve the economy).”

According to Developers Diversified Realty, which owns and manages Town Center Plaza in Leawood, this has been a good holiday sales season.

“At Town Center Plaza the holiday shopping season started strong and we continue to see steady shopper traffic,” Leonard Corsi, Town Center general manager said in a prepared statement. “Shoppers have responded favorably to in-store promotions and our tenants continue to report strong sales.”

The company reported that gift card sales are up over the same time last year.

Even secondhand stores are seeing sales increases.

Sugar Pop Kids, Overland Park, is a children’s consignment store owned by Amanda Cale.

“We haven’t done a lot of advertising, but compared to last year, we’re doing a little better,” she said. “Normally people don’t give secondhand clothes for Christmas, but actually people are doing more of that.

“And it’s OK to give secondhand clothes because it’s the concept of recycling. People are spending more wisely and people are not only saving (money) but they are also helping the environment.”

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