TAMPA, Fla. -- Business has started picking up for Betty’s Shop after the worst summer owner Liz Calver can recall in a decade.
“It was a lot quieter. Even just the foot traffic on the streets and the car traffic on the roads, on Gulf Boulevard, was less than half of what it should have been,” Calver said about business in July.
October improved with the start of wedding season for the St. Pete Beach boutique — but it’s still slower than past years. As Calver prepares for the holiday shopping season, she hopes things will pick up more.
“To be honest, I have no idea but it is scary,” Calver said. “And I’m not sure it’s going to be a great holiday.”
Florida summers are typically slow for business. Snowbirds are gone, and tourists tend to be in-state residents. But this year shocked many local businesses as their stores sat empty. As the weather cools and the gift giving season begins, store owners across the region said they’re hoping holiday sales can help make up for the previous tough season.
Sales up but also more costs
Many businesses are facing the effects of high inflation — from customers spending less, to rents increasing and the growing expense of hiring workers.
Still, U.S. holiday spending is expected to grow 3% to 4% in November and December compared to last year, according to estimates from The National Retail Federation. Americans could spend more than $950 billion for the holidays.
“We expect spending to continue through the end of the year on a range of items and experiences, but at a slower pace,” said the...
