MASON CITY, IA--
Checkout counters at area stores have a bit of a holiday jingle to them these days. “I decided I would go ahead and get it now instead of waiting until the crowds are there,” said Sonny Christensen, a holiday shopper. Christensen said she normally does her holiday shopping early--but this year it appears she's got company.
“We've actually seen an increase in holiday shopping this year,” said Holly Kruger, the store manager at the JCPenny in Southbridge Mall. “We've got double digit increases right now in our gift cards.”
Kruger said shoppers don't usually hit their holiday lists until after Halloween. “I don't know if it's the snow hitting earlier, but people have been out and about getting shopping crossed off their list,” she said.
Some area businesses are hoping to spur the early spree on. Main Street Mason City is teaming up with 20 local businesses to offer a free punch-card throughout November. Stopping in each of the 20 businesses makes shoppers eligible for prizes later on. “I think this is a way to kind of start it early,” said Main Street’s Executive Director, Hilleri Jennings.
Jennings said lots of businesses are privy to the economic plight many are facing. She said they're offering special deals to entice shoppers early. “If people can get something on sale now and save maybe the crowd fighting in a month, then they want to do that,” she said.
The strong start has some thinking positively about this shopping season. “They've already seen some great increases in sales and people’s attitudes have been fantastic,” said Kruger. “It's nice to see people getting out and enjoying shopping again.”
Shoppers like Christensen.
“I like to go out the week of Christmas… just to get the Christmas spirit but I'm usually done by then,” she said.
And it looks like Christensen won't be the only one done with her shopping by then.
While we don't actually know why it seems more people are shopping early, Kruger suggested that some may be doing it so as not to have as large a bill in December.
If you're interested in picking up a punch card for the Main Street Mason City promotion, Jennings said you can stop by the Main Street office or any of the other participating businesses.
