Sunday, November 27, 2016

The Lion and the Lamb

Time has really been rushing by.  Here we are, already in the 4th quarter and just past Black Friday, Shop Local and almost Cyber Monday.

Many local retailers are a bit nervous about this year.  Shopping online has grown, according to one source, 4% more people on Black Friday than last year.  Macy's online was so busy that it actually crashed.  I happened to go to one store on Black Friday and was very surprised that there was no line at the register.  On the news Wednesday evening, there was only 1 lady camped outside of Best Buy.  What is going on?

This year we may see lots of "predictions" about sales, however the recent Presidential election has taught us all that predictions aren't always correct.

After 25 years of being in the retail business, you would think we would have the ability to know what will happen in the 4th quarter.  Actually, we don't.

And because we have to order so many holiday candy and gift items earlier in the year, it is simply one big guess as to what we will be able to sell.

Nonetheless, 4th quarter has its own excitement and its own beauty.  The streets are filling with houses all lit up.  Stores are dressed for the grand ball and filled with all sorts of wonderful merchandise.  It is simply impossible not to feel energetic and happy.

Both of our Big Chocolate Turkeys (3-1.2 pounds of chocolate) sold before Thanksgiving.  I choose to see that as a positive sign that folks are not discouraged about the economy, the election, or any other negative force.  People want to be happy and we all work against the odds to keep our spirits bright.

My current observation is that people are gearing up for giving and for decorating.  Folks may be a little later this year in making that happen; however it will happen.

And guess what?  A few years ago Thanksgiving and Chanukah happened on the same day.  This year Christmas Eve and the First Night Of Chanukah are both happening on December 24.  That looks a little bit like the lion and the lamb lying down together, peacefully.