A few weeks before Halloween, analysts are already predicting one of the weakest holiday shopping seasons in twenty four years. But you don't need an analyst to tell you Valley families are struggling, and holiday extras might be just that - extra, or even unaffordable.
George Beaulieu of Hermitage says, "People are going to cut back because they're spending their money just on fuel and basic necessities, food, fuel and stuff like that."
Nancy Parrish of Hermitage explains, "Baking is going to be less because of the price of food. I don't think there's going to be as much on the holiday table as there normally is."
Other shoppers say they won't hold back on the holidays, no matter what the economy is or isn't doing.
"You only live once, might as well spend it, might not be here tomorrow. Probably going to spend about the same as we did last year, i wouldn't say we're going to go over, and we come out to Kraynak's because they have different stuff really," says Carol and Rudy Cikulin of Mineral Ridge.
"You only live once, might as well spend it, might not be here tomorrow. Probably going to spend about the same as we did last year, i wouldn't say we're going to go over, and we come out to Kraynak's because they have different stuff really," says Carol and Rudy Cikulin of Mineral Ridge.
Kraynak's specializes in Christmas. Their annual tree display keeps the crowds staying positive through these tough times.
Kraynak's store manager, Dan Zippie says, "It's been encouraging so far, and the traffic has been coming through. I would say that we're pretty close to about the same traffic as last year."
Several of the big box stores can't get their holiday merchandise out on the floor quick enough. Wal-Mart says it'll put Christmas items out a week before they did last year. It's also slashed prices making ten popular toys ten dollars each. One thing's for sure, whether families choose to save, or spend, no one wants to be the last shopper out there on Christmas Eve.
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