Donna Huffam
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 22/99) - There seems to be a correlation between Christmas sales and cold weather.

As the temperature dips, people are reminded Christmas is rapidly approaching and they haven't finished their shopping.

And Yellowknife retailers are seeing an increase in sales, which they hope continues throughout the season.

At Sashas Jewellery and Giftware, owner Eileen Dent is positively jubilant. "Sales have been excellent. They've been really good. It feels like the old days! Northern diamonds are monopolizing the sales since we started selling them in February, " Dent says.

"A lot of locals have been buying them, as (are) out-of-towners. Everyone loves the fact that it's a uniquely Northern and Canadian product. They are all quite taken with the polar bear on the diamond."

To deal with the rush, Sashas has has hired extra staff, and the store is now open until 8 p.m. every night.

Lisa Seagrave, co-owner of the Gallery of the Midnight Sun, has no complaints about sales this season.

"Sales have been good and we've got lots of Japanese in. We're selling lots of Christmas items such as Christmas tree skirts and Christmas ornaments. Our books are also selling quite well," says Seagrave.

Judith Drinnen of the Yellowknife Book Cellar says she's also optimistic about sales.

"Children's books are very popular. Harry Potter is huge right now. We're just keeping on top of the orders," says Drinnen. "(I'm) quite happy, if the sales continue like this throughout Christmas we'll be pleased."

Langlois co-owner Norma Heslep has seen 20 years of Christmas seasons in Yk and says this year's sales are quite strong.

She feels a number of factors have contributed to their success this year.

"It's possible that it's because some similar stores have gone out of business, the expansion of our store certainly had something to do with it, we have much more selection of goods now."

Heslep says people are also excited about the millennium. "People are celebrating more for this special year. It's definitely had some influence on the market."

And at Sashas, Dent and sales associate Evelyn Murphy definitely agree.

"The people are happy when they're buying gifts this year," says Dent. "They have the holiday spirit this year," adds Murphy.