Anchorage store owners say they hope this weekend’s Small Business Saturday kicks off a big holiday shopping frenzy and helps sales rebound from a difficult year due to factors such as a big snowstorm and high inflation. Ta.
Hannah Schlaff, owner of Weather Boutique downtown, emphasized her concern for small businesses. Instagram post this week.
“This week could be the difference between winning and losing for some of us,” she said, urging customers to support local businesses this season.
Schlaff said Friday he is looking forward to rebounding this season.
She said the shop local trend gained momentum early in the pandemic when Weather Boutique opened. However, that momentum has now slowed down.
Inflation is easing but remains high, he said, and some people are prioritizing groceries and bills over things like clothing. Additionally, small businesses like hers endured closures and reduced hours during the recent snowstorm, adding to the challenge, she said.
“It’s been a tough year,” she said. “After the pandemic, there was a huge push to help small businesses, and then the fire went out under that, the stimulus money burned out, and inflation displaced everyone. is not necessarily fun to drive.”
But November and December are typically good months, he said.
“I’m hopeful,” she said. “It’s a weekend that many people are looking forward to and we hope will get gift shopping off the ground.”
Other Anchorage business owners said they hope to provide a similar boost for small businesses Saturday. started It was released by American Express over a dozen years ago. Many businesses, like Weather Boutique, say they offer special deals to attract customers.
Anchorage Economic Development Corporation President Jenna Wright said Anchorage’s inflation and high cost of living continued to weigh on purchasing power this fall. Anchorage is the fourth most expensive place to buy groceries out of 269 metropolitan areas nationwide, she said. .
National Retail Federation Estimate National retail sales growth during the holiday period should be in line with pre-pandemic growth rates, although it won’t be as strong as in recent years when stimulus checks supported the economy.
Wright said the slower annual growth rate should apply to Anchorage because it faces the same major economic headwinds as the Bottom 48 this year, including high interest rates that increase borrowing costs. Ta.
The Alaska Small Business Development Center said in a statement this week that shopping local can make a big difference to the state’s economy, leading to higher wages and job growth.
Citing the center’s 2021 report, the center said if each household shifted $1,000 in spending from non-local businesses to local businesses, it would add an estimated $103 million to the state’s economy and $5,850. He said additional jobs will be created. University of Alaska Economic Development Center.
Small Business Development Center Purchase Alaska Holiday Gift Guide It is made up of more than 75 businesses selling a variety of art, food, clothing, and other products.
Anchorage Downtown Partnership supported This weekend’s event will be held online map Local downtown businesses are offering customers at participating locations the chance to win two round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines.
Several Anchorage business owners said the annual Saturday shopping event has become an important day for customers to try to support local entrepreneurs.It is said to be comparable to Black Friday, which is held across the United States. Remaining The biggest shopping day of the year.
“We don’t call it Black Friday anymore,” said Crystal Offord, owner of AK Cycle Chic off Northern Lights Boulevard. “Black Friday is a big retailer event, so now it’s small business weekend.”
Offord sells cycling clothing and outdoor activewear for women, as well as items for men. She expects a strong holiday season to boost sales as bike road season winds down — snow bikes are becoming more popular after mountain bikes stopped, she said.
It’s been a good year, she said.
Young and older shoppers are choosing their purchases carefully, sometimes even waiting until payday to make a purchase. But middle-class customers in their 40s and 50s, who are probably at their peak earning years, are still likely to spend their money freely, she says.
Her store also faces increased competition this time of year from large holiday markets, where booths are often manned by Alaskan cottage industries of home crafters.
“These markets feel like new malls,” she said. “People flock there because there are multiple vendors in one market.”
“This is not to disrespect the manufacturers,” she said. “I’ll feature some of them in my store. It’s just a trend I’m noticing.”
[In the wee hours, an Anchorage pastry chef finds reasons for gratitude]
Some stores said Friday they were too busy to spare a few minutes for interviews.
Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toys in South Anchorage, said sales have been strong this year.
“Life among toys is a happy place,” she said. “Inflation has fallen significantly, unemployment has fallen and incomes have increased.”
She said she expects to see good numbers this season and hopes the store will eventually recover from closing during the recent snowstorm that kept employees from coming to work.
“We make up for those sales,” she said. “It was a hassle, but that’s what it was.”