THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 24, 1995 TAG: 9511230842
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEPHANIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
The turkey and yams barely digested, thousands of Hampton Roads residents will rush out to splurge on the day that traditionally has kicked off the holiday shopping season.
But before local residents rush out today, here are a few tips to make the busy shopping day more comfortable:
Create a list of gifts you want to buy and set a budget for what you can spend. ``Take that extra effort and add it up,'' said Nancy Ness Judy, a spokeswoman for the American Bankers Association. Be ``just like Santa: Make a list and check it twice.''
Don't carry your wallet in your back pocket or leave your purse unattended. And take only cash, credit cards or checks numbers you intend to use. Leave everything else at home.
Shop early. Some shoppers arrive at the malls at 8 a.m. and leave before the crowds. Avoid peak shopping days.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Shop with a friend, or consider getting an escort to your car. Don't display jewelry bags. Tuck them inside a department-store or other bag.
Retailers will be hoping for an explosion in holiday sales that did not come last year. So far, there are signs that point both ways. Retail analysts and economists forecast sluggish sales in November and December. While retail sales fell in October, November's cold weather brought in more money.
If customers play hard-to-get, they may force retailers to mark down their merchandise earlier than usual. Merchants typically get a surge this weekend and another for the days before Christmas Day. If shoppers hold out early in the season, prices fall.
But consumers who wait too long may find there is nothing left. Retailers ordered fewer products this year because they don't want to get stuck with extra merchandise if it's a slow season.
While some merchants are expecting so-so seasons, others are sure to be winners. It's expected that home electronics, computer products and home-entertainment items will be big sellers. Jewelry and upscale apparel also should sell well, analysts and retailers have said. ILLUSTRATION: MALL HOURS
[For a list of malls and hours of operation, see microfilm for this
date.]
by CNB