By Angie Landsverk
Independent retailers throughout the country say inflation, interest rates, and an upcoming presidential election are affecting sales at their stores.
“Having been in retail for 45+ years, I have seen and experienced a lot. This year, I will be cautious but hopefully not to a fault,” said Oscar La Vine. “I carry high inventory in my stores. This year, I plan to sell down on the inventory and reorder on my strongest-selling product lines.”
La Vine owns Celebrate Door County in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. The store offers clothing, gifts, souvenirs, pottery, candy, and food items.
“I have always felt that when an election year comes around, people tend to be a little more cautious in their spending,” La Vine said. “We will get through this year with a few hiccups — holding on tight and giving attention to detail, so that we survive whatever we are going through and will look ahead to 2025 as a year to straighten some of these factors out and lead us down a smooth highway going forward.”
At Weekenders Antiques and Uniques, Kate Cornell is expecting sales to be lower at year’s end due to inflation straining the economy. “Higher costs of living equal less spending for nonessential purchases,” she said.
Shoppers are spending less at her store this year. Cornell said her small, painted furniture is doing well — end tables and accent tables — but anything larger like farmer tables and dressers has slowed down. “I see minimalists purchasing utilitarian versus home décor,” she said.
Her target market has shifted from collectors/mature shoppers to a younger market of shoppers who spend less on a single purchase but return for multiple purchases more frequently. Cornell added inventory to attract the 30-40 age group, such as trending colors of cream, white, various shades of light green, and natural wood tones in the modern farmhouse style.
In early July, she did a total reset of her displays and floor plan to freshen the store’s look, hoping to achieve a different direction of sight lines and walking patterns.
“I feel with this being an election year, more people are being cautious with their spending and focusing on necessities,” Cornell said. While sales have been down and overhead expenses up, she remains hopeful of having a successful year.
An Eye on Inventory
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