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A green-and-gold Christmas Rogue Valley stores did brisk business over the holiday as shoppers stayed close to home By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune Stay-at-home attitudes may have helped bolster holiday sales in the Rogue Valley. After store doors re-opened Wednesday, managers at the valley's larger retail outlets reported holiday sales on par with last year or higher. A handful of smaller retailers contacted by the Mail Tribune reported varied results. Things to "cozy up with at home" helped Ashland's Paddington Station exceed projections and last year's sales, said owner Pam Hammond. Christmas ornaments, kitchenware and home decor were top sellers, said Hammond. "Mostly it kind of felt like they were going out buying more traditional stuff and a lot of electronics," said Brian Bain, store director for Fred Meyer's south gateway location. DVD player sales were strong, as were seasonal items like holiday lights and trees. Overall sales were about the same as last year, said Bain. Larson's Furniture owner Bruce Larson said that "cocooning" probably helped give his store a double-digit sales increase. But he thinks another factor aided local sales. "Money that was being spent out of the valley is now being spent in the valley because (people) are staying home," said Larson. Television and furniture sales were up at his store, while sales of large appliances were flat. Across the nation, sales shifted from department stores to discounters such as Target. Medford's Target reported a good year, but local department stores also reported strong sales. "Sales were much better than what we projected," said JullieFlenner, an executive team leader at Target. "Throughout the holiday season toys and electronics were our two biggest departments." Total holiday sales exceeded last year's, said Flenner, despite losses suffered when the store closed briefly after vandals spilled liquid ammonium sulfide Saturday. Store officials earlier reported the downtime cost the packed outlet $70,000 to $100,000 in sales. "The holiday season has been a terrific season in sales driven by some really good discounts prior to Christmas," said Frank Clifton of JC Penney at the Rogue Valley Mall. Mervyn's at the mall showed a big increase over last December's figures, said Kelly Swanson, assistant store manager. Sales before the holiday stimulated business, she said. Back massagers, flannel items and outwear were big sellers. Mall-wide figures won't be available until today, the mall's management said Wednesday. Colder, wetter weather helped one store. Black Bird reported sales up 14 percent over the previous December. "The more it rains, the busier it gets," said owner Bill Quitt. Black Bird's ski shop did much better than last year, when local skiing conditions were less favorable than this winter. Outdoor clothing and boots were also big sellers McKenzie Outfitter's sales were down a little bit from last year, reported Darryl Rasmussen, although the store did better in the last three or four days before Christmas than it did the previous year. "People are a little nervous right now and aren't spending money on needless items," said Rasmussen. Long underwear and socks were popular. Jackson's Men's Wear owner Ray Jackson said he was "pretty happy with sales, considering the economy." Sales were about 10 percent under projections at the men's store and the adjacent Jackson's for Her. The men's store relocated from the mall to Medford Center this year. The women's store is a new operation. Sales at Bloomsbury Books in Ashland were about the same as the previous year, said manager Marilyn Edwards. Stephen Hawking's book, "The Universe in a Nutshell," was a hot seller. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.