Tax-free weekend good news for shoppers, stores

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — What’s more perfect than shopping on a rainy Friday afternoon? How about the fact that today kicks off the tax-free shopping weekend in the Tar Heel State? Shoppers hit stores early to cash in on this special deal.

“Any little change at all is worth it,” Laura Cameron said as she shopped Friday at Target in Wilmington.

Whether it’s back-to-school supplies or clothing accessories, savings, savings, savings are what shoppers are all about this weekend.

“I’m actually going to head to the mall and get some new sunglasses,” Cameron said. “I just picked up some notebooks for school.”

Tax-free weekend is one perk that North Carolina and several other states in the country are refusing to let go of. Georgia decided to do away with its tax-free weekend because it cost the state millions of dollars in tax revenue.

“It’s well worth it, especially now in the economy,” shopper Susan Kincart said. “Every family needs any kind of advantage that they can get, and so if this is what the state can do, even though they might take a hit, it’s good for the everyday folks.”

Target manager Sarah Hollis says the tax-free shopping weekend not only stretches the dollar for the customer, but also the store.

“With the bonus of it being tax-free, I think people are more apt to spend more,” Hollis said. “A lot of moms coming in for back-to-school, shopping and that will probably continue into the next couple of weeks and into when school starts in August or September.”

The tax-free weekend ends on sunday. School supplies are not the only thing tax-free this week. You can also save on computers, diapers, clothing and sporting goods.