Retailers feel holiday cheer

Local retailers reported a better Christmas shopping season than predicted with record breaking sales defying the gloomy outlook for the fourth quarter -- the most important quarter for retail sales.\nJennifer Gray, manager of Urban Outfitters, 530 E. Kirkwood Ave., said the store did especially well this shopping season with a distinctive Christmas rush.\n"We have a very loyal customer base, consisting of both students and Bloomington residents," she said. Gray cited holiday spirit as a factor that overcame the downturn in the economy caused by the events of Sept. 11. Urban Outfitters emphasized comfort and security during the holiday season with comfortable clothing, lighting, and home accessories, she said.\n"I really felt like we hit our target market this season," Gray said. "It was a record year for us during the Christmas rush."\nAlso reporting a profitable fourth quarter is Beyond the Wall, 512 E. Kirkwood Ave. Store manager Brooke Yarbar said sales were up from last year. She attributed part of her store's success to students remaining on campus longer than in previous years.\n"I think more students stuck around for part of break," she said. "And those who stuck around were here for some great sales we had, like buy one get one half off and sales on frames. The star lamps we carry are also popular gifts, and we will have those in stock all year."\nYarbar said there was a decrease in sales after the attacks on Sept. 11, but said sales have picked up again. She attributes Beyond the Wall's success to the personal nature of the gifts for sale. \n"We have something for everybody here, making us a one stop shop," she said.\nGreetings, 429 E. Kirkwood Ave., experienced a strong fourth quarter as well, closing the month of December within six dollars of their budget. Store manager Matt Sater felt that two factors affected his store.\n"One thing that helped our store was the downturn in the economy," he said. "Now instead of buying a DVD player for a gift, a person bought smaller, more sentimental items." Greetings specializes in that area of merchandise which benefits the store. \n"As callous as it sounds stores like this benefit from bad economic times," Sater said. "With people focusing on family and friends the greeting card industry is doing very well."\nThe figures being observed by local businesses are not uncommon with most retailers posting surprisingly normal figures for the holiday season. \n"I think that people are trying to get back to normal," Gray said. "And what better time than Christmas"