CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The official numbers have not been tallied, but the foot traffic the last few days told statewide retailers this Christmas shopping season was better than expected despite worries about the economy.
West Virginia Retailers Association President Bridget Lambert said it was the busiest store since the pandemic. The retailers were able to find the needed staff to serve the customers and enhance the shopping experience.
“In-store traffic was kind of sluggish over the last three to four years, and this year has really rebounded,” Lambert said.
At the Meadowbrook Mall in Bridgeport, property manager Robin Urquhart said the mall rebounded well following a natural gas week the final Friday of the shopping season.
“We have had a couple challenges with snow incidents that slowed sales down for a hot minute,” Urquhart said. “But our stores are doing great, and they will probably set records.”
Lambert and Urquhart said many retailers launched special pricing that generated steady numbers since the Black Friday official opening of the shopping season.
“I can say retailers across the state did see heavy foot traffic in stores,” Lambert said. “Consumers were able to take advantage of some great sales, both in store and online for those who wanted to shop Super Saturday online as well.”
In the Bridgeport area, economic fears waned as the holiday shopping season approached and were unnoticeable in the last few weeks. Urquhart said the retailers, food court, and restaurants on the property were very busy.
“It hasn’t been that way all year long with all of the shutdowns and economic fears,” Urquhart said. “I would say on the whole they are buying everything and walking out with so many bags—we judges sales by what bags you are seeing and how many you are carrying.”
Lambert said this has been the busiest year in stores since the pandemic, as online sales have continued as well. Once the final shopping statistics have been gathered, Lambert is confident this will be a record-setting shopping season.
“Online shopping and direct-to-your-door delivery are still very brisk businesses and have grown this season as well,” Lambert said. “But customers have returned to shopping in stores at a higher rate than we have seen in the last four or five years.”