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Despite Debate Over Role of Online Sales, Local Retailers Report Brisk Black Holiday Sales So Far

Published on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 | 6:08 am
 

 

Pasadena retailers – even those without online stores – are reporting brisk holiday sales over the Black Friday weekend and on Cyber Monday.

“The past weekend was busy even with gloomy weather, but sales in Old Pasadena have been really, really strong. We are expecting a very strong holiday season. A lot of it does have to do with the wealth of our independent merchants,” said Old Pasadena Management District President and CEO Steve Mulheim.

Approximately seventy five percent of businesses in Old Pasadena are independent merchants, according to Mulheim.

Despite national online sales growth surpassing predictions by hitting a record $3.39 billion on Cyber Monday, many locally-owned Pasadena retailers don’t sell online.

“Most of the businesses in Old Pasadena don’t have a presence on the internet. This is where you find them and I think that is what people like,” said Mulheim.

“The internet is not critical for us because people need to come in to receive a specialty service that you can’t conduct online,” said Run With Us Store Manager Mike Gonzalez. “We’re still here because it’s a specialty store. If anything it just helps the running community because people come in and it creates a buzz.”

Other business owners feel moving online is a necessity in order to consistently boost sales and compete with major retailers, especially during the Black Friday season.

“I sell and ship online plus I have the brick and mortar so I have my foot in both. You have to do all of it as a business owner. You have to be prepared for the holidays both online and in-store,” said High Low Vintage owner Carolyn Gray.

“Our online sales have gone up. There’s a steady increase year to year,” said Jacob Maarse Florist owner Hank Maarse.

According to the Pew Research Center, retailers rely on the holiday season for a significant chunk of their sales.

“Everywhere, the holiday shopping season is vital to retailers, restaurants — all of those types of businesses. In some cases it accounts for forty percent of their annual income,” said Pasadena Chamber of Commerce ?President and CEO Paul Little.

“Business and the amount of shoppers coming around the area [Green Street Village] during the weekend of Black Friday has grown year after year after year,” said Gray.

“Shoppers have really been coming out strong,” said Mulheim.

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