Atmore retailers say sales this holiday season are comparable to 2011, although stores are seeing more foot traffic this year.

Joe Brown, owner of Country Charms, said his sales are about even with last year, adding that nervousness over the economy is causing customers to spend less.

“It has been good, not great and not bad,” he said. “We’re selling to more people, but they’re buying less. We’re not selling the big ticket items.”

Brown said his store does the bulk of its business during the months of November and December.

Sheryl Vickery, executive director with the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, said that while customers may not be spending as much, the increase in foot traffic is still important.

“Getting people in the store is half the battle,” she said. “Those shoppers might come back.”
Vickery also stressed the importance of shopping locally this season.

Doug Smith, manager of Central Farm Supply, said both sales and foot traffic are up “a little” from last year. The store sold out of Christmas trees this year and items like poinsettias and other gift items sell well during this season.

Morgan Nichols, a sales associate at Jus Because, said sales this year have been good and match last year’s totals.

“We usually pick up for football season and in November, which gets us into the holiday season,” she said.