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Friday, July 16, 1999

Local shops expect Christmas-size crowds

By Stephanie L. Jordan
Caller-Times

Don't ask Cathy Wells what she's going to spend on clothing for her three children to start school in August.
   "Oh God, I don't want to think about it. It's depressing," she said. "It will probably be about $200 apiece. Hopefully my 14-year-old will be able to hold with what he has to start King this year because it will be hard to afford it all at once."
   But she may be able to save a little this year.
   On Aug. 6-8, she won't have to pay sales tax, which would tack on 7.875 cents for each dollar spent.
   This state-sponsored tax holiday has some local merchants expecting Christmas in August.
   At Target in Moore Plaza, managers already expect crowds like those found in December. On an average weekend near the start of school, the store on South Padre Island Drive could expect more than $100,000 in sales each day. The lack of sales tax could bring well above that, said Bobbie Salinas, Target's clothing department manager.
   "Everyone who comes here will be looking for school items, and this could mean that they will spend more because they're saving more," Salinas said. "Either way we win and so does the guest who shops here.
   "This is good for the consumer because usually people are shopping for more than one child and that can be a big hit to the pocket."
   Many shoppers said they'll take advantage of the lack of sales tax even though they don't have children going back to school.
   Annette Ruegsegger said she, too, needs clothes, and not paying sales tax is an unexpected bonus.
   "This is basically a sale," she said. "I'll come to the stores, but only late at night to avoid the rush."
   Arlene Misuraca said the tax holiday probably won't entice her to the stores, but she can remember a time when it would have. She remembers the struggle of looking for back-to-school sales for her three children, and now commiserates with them as they buy clothes for her nine grandchildren.
   "Little cotton dresses for girls (used to) cost $3.98 or $4.98," she said. "A lot of clothing now is out of sight for what they're made of. I hear about clothing prices (from my children) quite often, and especially shoes."
   Some parents said a reprieve from sales taxes will not increase their back-to-school budget.
   Patricia Russell says she will only spend about $100 to clothe 9-year-old Raven and 5-year-old Jarvis for school.
   But some retailers think many people will spend more.
   "This will be an interesting time for the retailers," said Jim Baxter, general manager of Padre Staples Mall. "Not only will there be operational issues with the cash registers, with people used to being charged the sales tax, but also what to expect with sales gains. It could be overwhelming. But this is a first for us and we don't know what to expect."



Staff writer Stephanie L. Jordan can be reached at 886-3724 or by e-mail at jordans@caller.com

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