Weather impacts holiday shopping at local businesses

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s the season giving and that means it’d the season of shopping. But with warmer than usual temperatures tempting people with spending time outdoors, how is the heat affecting local businesses?

“The weather’s been great, so I think a lot of people have been enjoying the beach and so shopping here at the Cotton Exchange and at Cape Fear Sportswear specifically has kinda been a little slow due to the weather,” said Jared Auman with Cape Fear Sportswear.

But for other shops, this spring-like December is drawing more customers in to shop.

“I think people enjoy coming downtown, and the weather has maybe helped us,” said Pat Holleman, president of Port City Pottery and Fine Crafts. “It’s been extremely good for us. In fact we were just comparing a while ago. Last December was the best month we’d ever had, and we’re here almost nine years, and we’re exceeding last December this December. So we couldn’t be happier.”

For Cape Fear Sportswear, online sales are up 5% this year, so even though it’s not cold in Wilmington, people are still buying jackets.

But for Coastal Kicks, online sales are taking a back seat to folks coming in to browse for holiday gifts.

“Right now during the holiday season we’re kinda doing more in the store than online. But it all adds up to a pretty good season,” said Alan Murphy of Coastal Kicks.

And with colder weather coming in this weekend, it might begin to feel a bit more like Christmas.