Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
A glimmer in Black Friday’s damper
In the midst of a raging worldwide pandemic, many things, including holidays, have changed and while projections are that Americans with less in their pockets will spend smaller amounts than years past, efforts are being shone on the good that’s right here in our own home community.
The National Retail Federation in Washington, D.C., has been tracking holiday spending for years and has predicted that Americans will spend an average of $997.79 on gifts, decorations and food this season, which is a $50 decrease from last year.
Their prediction came from an analysis completed by the NRF and Proper Insights & Analytics, which also found that $45 of that $50 decrease comes from consumers hesitating to buy non-gift purchases through seasonal sales or promotions for themselves or for family members.
“Consumers have demonstrated their resilience and adaptability throughout these extraordinary times,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Looking ahead to the holiday season, retailers will ensure that their stores are safe for both customers and employees as we all prepare to celebrate family and friends during this special time of the year.”
In addition, their survey found that one in five shoppers who typically travel for the holidays are staying home this year and that 53 percent of those who changed their holiday travel plans intend to spend more on holiday items because they don’t have the costs of traveling.
In fact, AAA Mid-Atlantic found that 83 percent of Pennsylvanians were planning not to travel this Thanksgiving in a survey 40 percent said they were staying home because of concerns about COVID-19.
“Given the recent surge in COVID-19 and the strong urging of public health officials for everyone to stay home for the holiday, the Thanksgiving travel landscape continues to change,” Jana Tidwell, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA MidAtlantic, said. “With that in mind, AAA conducted a new poll asking
Pennsylvania residents who have decided against traveling for the holiday whether COVID-19, specifically, was the reason - and 40% said yes.”
As a result, retail experts say the money normally spent on travel will be directed elsewhere.
“We saw a big uptick in experiential gift giving over the last several years and because of the pandemic I don’t think we will see that people aren’t traveling as much,” Bill Thorne, senior vice president of communications & public affairs at NRF, said. “That kind of gift experience is probably going to go more towards the splurge gift that you want to give to somebody so you can get your minds off of whats going on around you and celebrate your family.”
The Federation itself, which bills itself as the world’s largest retail trade association, has been urging shoppers to shop early and safe this year, noting the Black Friday sales being offered early in November, weeks before the actual day.
However, officials here are presenting another option - “Keep the Cheer Here!,” a concerted effort by Delaware County Council, Visit Delco PA, the Delaware County Commerce Center and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce to encourage support of local, small business, particularly this season.
“We’re trying to get everyone to proudly go out and shop in Delco businesses which have really worked above and beyond to make the shopping experience safe,” Delaware County Councilwoman Elaine Paul Schaefer said at Wednesday’s council meeting, adding later, “This is a fun and easy way to show some love and support for our Delco businesses who have been greatly impacted during the pandemic. Delco business owners are our family, friends and neighbors. We need to support them. Put your money where your home is!” Chamber officials agreed. “Delco has incredible shops and restaurants right here in our own backyard,” Delaware County Chamber of Commerce President Trish McFarland said. “Instead of shopping at big box stores or online sites, support our local community at a time when they need it the most. Keep the cheer here!”
A note on the chamber blog stated, “2020 has been a tough a year for everyone, especially our locally-owned shops and restaurants, and this year shopping local is vital to their survival ... Keep in mind, COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in Delaware County and across the country. Our businesses have done everything they can to stay open. It’s time we do our part, continue to follow the guidelines, so we can stay safe and our businesses and schools can stay open.”
To make it easier, the website, keepthecheerheredelco.com, has been created and directs to a Delaware County Chamber of Commerce portal urging consumers to shop local this season.
It features a map of local businesses, which can be searched geographically or by type, such as bookstore, clothing, gift and souvenir, jewelry, personal care, pet, sporting goods, restaurants and specialty foods.
Business owners are also invited to enter their information to be included on the map with a fill-in survey to the left of the map to maximize exposure of what they have to offer shoppers this holiday season.
Information provided about the businesses include their hours of operation, their telephone number and website and whether curbside pickup is available. Establishments such as the Original Clam Tavern in Clifton Heights, 2312 Garrett in Upper Darby and Ocean City Coffee in Media have been featured on the Keep the Cheer Here: Delaware County Facebook page.
Shoppers can win gift cards to local shops by participating in the campaign’s social media raffle. All they have to do is shop safely at a local business in Delco; post a picture of where they’re shopping on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn; tag @DelcoChamber or @KeepTheCheerHereDelco plus add #ShopDelco to be entered into a drawing that will take place every Wednesday through Dec. 30.
Some events, sadly, will sit along the sidelines this year, such as Lansdowne’s “A Bit of the Arts Holiday Show and Sale” that had been scheduled for Nov. 27 and 28 at the Twentieth Century Club. It is the first year in its history that it is being cancelled.
“We held out for as long as we could, hoping that things would get better, and taking as many extra precautions as possible to ensure for a fun and safe event,,” Liz Steele-Coats, chair of the A Bit of the Arts Committee said. “But as you all know, things are getting worse — COVID cases are up, and places are shutting down all around us. With the recent announcement from the mayor of Philadelphia, in conjunction with the newly required COVID tests for visitors entering the state of Pennsylvania, we must make the decision to keep everyone safe and not be at fault for spreading any more germs. We love you and your artwork so much and we really wanted to make this work, but we just cannot proceed in good conscience.”
They plan to highlight an artist a day on their Facebook page and a list of the artists can be viewed at abitofthearts.com.
Yet, even with all of the difficulties, Delco’s still proving to have big heart.
In a survey conducted by financial technology company SmartAsset, Delco’s residents were among the most generous givers in Pennsylvania. In fact, it ranked third in the state and 194th in the nation for its generosity, based on charitable giving.