FORT SMITH, Ark – Small businesses have about a week before the holiday shopping season comes to a close.
Flourish Market Owner Emily Sexton says foot traffic certainly is down, but staff remains busy. Employees are bundling up for curbside pick-ups. Staff are also packaging up orders and shipping out items during a trying holiday season.
“(People used to want) $30 and under for gifts. Now, it’s $20 and under,” said Sexton.
She did research going into Christmas, picking and choosing items she knew would move off shelves instead of being stuck inside the store.
2020 has been a challenge for most, if not all, businesses. For Sexton, sales are down about 18% from last year.
Despite the dip in sales, Sexton says she is in pretty good shape in comparison to her counterparts.
“I would say we definitely fought for it, but we never once felt alone in the fight,” she said.