Haddonfield Retailers Pleased with Holiday Sales

Many retailers in the Haddonfield Business District report increased sales for the 2012 holiday season compared to 2011.

For Rick Venzie, owner of Accent Studio, “It’s too early for actual numbers but from all appearances, 2012 looks better than 2011. The crowds were not as big as in the past. The longer shopping season seemed to make up for it.”

Irish (and British) eyes are smiling

Lisa Savaria of the English Gardener Gift Shop said, “We are a destination store that offers foods, goodies and gift items from the British Isles and Ireland. Customers travel from Connecticut, Virginia and Maryland because of our large selection.”

Savaria added, “The owners are very happy with the numbers this year.” A topic that was heard many times throughout the holiday shopping season was the desire to support small businesses.  

Across the street at the British Chip Shop, manager Colin Plumley said, “We are up 30 percent for the entire season. Candlelight shopping was great for us. We were swamped both weekends before Christmas. Gift card sales were up, pastry orders are on the rise and business continues to be strong after Christmas with lunch time crowds out the door.” 

“We had a really good season,” said Cindy Harris, owner of Georgie Girl. Harris also promoted “shop local” and a feature that makes Georgie Girl unique to shoppers is 80 percent of the items sold at Georgie Girl are made in the U.S.

The Summit Sampler of Haddonfield doubled its space during the last quarter and according to Dan Martin, husband of owner Jan Martin, “Our numbers grew from last year due to the expansion. We also closed our store in Summit, NJ, which made everything better with everything and everyone under one roof.”

Sam Temple, who opened the reinvented Haddonfield Fine Jewelers eight weeks ago said, “Business was brisk, very active and many of our customers returned.”

Remi Fortunato, retail coordinator for Haddonfield said, “Townwide gift certificate sales doubled this year.” For many retailers, gift certificates give shoppers a reason to return to Haddonfield after the holiday season ends.