Retailers say Christmas sales increasing
Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Dec 13/00) - With just a dozen days to Christmas, retailers are into their home-shopping stretch.
"It's been busy. They're (shoppers) buying everything," says JJ Hobbies manager Jennifer Eggenberger. "It has been, so far, better than last year, and we're hoping that keeps going."
She says Christmas sales have increased about five to 10 per cent from last year.
And Eggenberger wasn't the only Yellowknife retailer ebullient over the season's sales.
"It's been busy. (Christmas sales) are going well," says Wal-Mart's Rodd Olmstead. "I've observed a lot more people waiting until December to start their shopping," he said.
Olmstead said the store had more goods in stock this year compared to last when the Fort Providence ferry went out of service.
"We fared considerably better with ice problems (at the crossing). For retailers, it's (service interruptions at the Mackenzie River) quite an issue."
Dale Johnston, general manager at Wolverine Sports, estimates Christmas sales have so far been about 20 per cent better than last year -- even with a big stock liquidation event.
"We were open Sunday and were extremely busy," he said.
Johnston, who recently sold the shop to the Dogrib First Nation, will remain as general manager for the next three years.
Wolverine, which opened in 1987, has had it best year yet. But the next 10 days will tell the tale. That's the busiest time, he said.
Presents for pets
At Borealis Kennels, Kellan Rosie said many residents are remembering their pets at Christmas.
Especially if it's "first Christmas with puppy," she said. "Now they have brain toys to prevent separation anxiety and when owners want the furniture left alone," she said.
The brain toy is a ball stuffed with kibble or dog cookies. The amount of goodies released can be varied.
Under the capable control of the family canine, these toys mean Fido won't get bored when master's away.
Rosie says there's also plenty of rawhide.
In fact, customers can pick up a rawhide gift basket for the family dog.
"The whole thing is edible, even the basket."
Recent rental market numbers suggest there are more people buying this year. According to a recent Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation survey, the apartment vacancy rate fell to 2.4 per cent in October from 5.7 per cent a year earlier.
An improved labour market, positive in-migration and loss of stock to hotel conversion have contributed to the decline, the CMHC said in their Nov. 30 release.
A similar survey, also conducted in October by appraisal firm Stewart Weir MacDonald, found just 2.5 per cent of the city's apartments to be unoccupied.
Even with many apartments converted to hotel units, these studies point to a increased population for the city. And more people likely means more shoppers.
The most recent numbers from the GNWT Bureau of Statistics place 17,702 people in Yellowknife last year, up from 17,580 a year earlier (18,175: 1997). The city's population peaked in 1996 at 18,302.
The bureau anticipates an updated population figure in the new year.
