Dell Rapids, SD — Customers in South Dakota are enjoying a break from the frigid start to the holiday shopping season. As temperatures rise to the forties and fifties, businesses anticipate increased customer traffic this weekend.
The December heat wave could not have arrived at a better moment for Dell Rapids retailers. Nikki Shoup of Dell Rapids and her 4-year-old daughter Brynlee do not have to drive far for their holiday shopping.
“When you have kids, it’s nice to just be able to run downtown and look around the stores instead of having to drive into Sioux Falls,” Shoup told me.
Businesses in Dell Rapids are encouraging both locals and visitors to peruse their aisles by giving weekend discounts during their annual Christmas in the Dells event.
“I’m hoping that this weekend, with Christmas in the Dells, we may see a 30 or 40 percent boost. “And the weather is supposed to be fantastic,” JR’s Alterations & Crafts co-owner Janet DeGraw stated.
Temperatures will climb even as prices fall in retailers throughout town.
“Warm weather can be great because a lot of people like to get out and walk from one end of Main Street to the other, checking out all the small-town shops,” said Kathy Goodale, co-owner of The Cotton Tree Boutique.
“It is a gorgeous time to walk around and enjoy the nice weather while we can,” Shoup told me.
However, if your company sells winter apparel around the holidays, the weekend warmth can be a mixed bag.
“A little hard to sell sweaters sometimes if it’s 50 degrees in December,” Goodale told me.
Main Street retailers report robust sales despite the cold start to the holiday shopping season. They expect sales to increase even more this weekend, even if the weather outside isn’t very bad.
“Everybody’s in a good mood and ready to go so, it should be great,” DeGraw said.
Saturday night’s tree lighting ceremony and light procession round out Christmas in the Dells.
