YAKIMA, Wash. -- It may be the first day of fall, but I’m having a bit of seasonal confusion. The weather is supposed to be in the 80s all week. And today we get the first of what will likely be many predictions for the holiday season.
Regardless, happy first day of fall.

Weak, but improving holiday season ahead
Retail sales during the fourth quarter of this year, which will be driven much by holiday shopping activity, will be flat from the same period in 2008, according a forcast from Retail Forward, a market research firm in Columbus, Ohio.  That would rank the fourth quarter of 2009 as the second worst period in 42 years.
However, the forecast would be an improvement from 2008 when retail sales during the fourth quarter dropped 4.5 percent year-over-year. Retail Forward expects improvement in several shopping areas including online and mass retailers and department stores.

Dollar Tree update
I had a chance to talk to Bill Moultray regarding the arrival of a Dollar Tree to the Orchards Shopping Center on 72nd Avenue and Tietion Drive.
He said that there is a lease, but they are waiting until it officially completes the city planing process.
The city of Yakima has already given approval, but that approval is currently under an appeal period, which ends Wednesday. City planner Kevin Futrell said that once the appeal period is over, they can go ahead and get building permits.
Moultray also mentioned there may be some new developments at both the Orchards and at the Chalet Place shopping center on 56th and Summitview avenues.
We’ll keep you posted.

Forever waiting for Forever 21
I put another call in Larry Meyer, who is executive vice president of Forever 21. Meyer said that he’s still working with the Valley Mall to take over the lease at the former Gottschalks space but nothing has been set just yet.
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Valley Mall general manager Allie Stewart mentioned the Valley Mall is in negotiations with several retailers, so perhaps this is par for the course. 
I am waiting to hear from Valley Mall owner Fred Bruning on other updates in the mall and will come back with details when I get them.

-- Mai Hoang

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