Shop Talk: Retailers pulling out the stops for procrastinators

Procrastination seems to be mixed in with the cold holiday air these days.

I have not yet determined what cookie I’m baking for my friend’s holiday party, cleaned my house so it will be presentable when my in-laws come for Christmas dinner, or mailed out any of the presents for family members who live on the other side of the country.

But procrastinators will play a big role for retailers who are pulling out discounts and other tactics to draw shoppers through their doors in the final days before Christmas.

Bundles and discounts

The average shopper completed 46.7 percent of his or her holiday shopping by the end of the second week of December, according to a survey released by the National Retail Federation. That’s the lowest percentage reported for the survey since 2004.

The survey also noted that nearly one in five shoppers hadn’t even started shopping. And with that many shoppers still in the mix, local retailers are trying to capitalize on the opportunity.

Best Buy in Yakima has been offering bundles for all of its most popular products. A digital camera, for instance, will be sold with a bag, digital storage and batteries. That big screen television for the family may come with screen cleaner, cables and other accessories.

Store manager Monte Neumeyer said last-minute shoppers want to get in and out of the store, and the bundles are designed to quicken their shopping trip.

“It’s the complete solution for the customer so you don’t have to go to more than one place,” he said.

The bundle is also a key strategy for Fred Meyer. The store is stocking popular items such as fruit baskets and is running deals throughout this week for those last-minute shoppers.

“We’re running (ads) every day this week,” said Dennis Thompson, store director for the Fred Meyer store in Yakima.

Like other food retailers, Fred Meyer is working to appeal to shoppers who are cooking the holiday meal by heavily advertising markdowns on its food items.

Pork, in particular, has received more attention this year because the wholesale prices have declined greatly from past years, Thompson said.

The pace is quick

Another characteristic of last-minute shoppers: They’re on the run. 

They will often stop into Fiddlesticks in Yakima on the way to a holiday party or gift exchange to get that gift, said owner Michele Sink.

To best cater to these customers, Sink said her workers will try to make gift suggestions. Plus, “Gift wrapping is always a plus,” she said.

Another important factor for retailers: Mother Nature.

The weather has been acting up lately, but Allie Stewart, general manager of the Valley Mall, is hoping it will clear up this week.

“I think (weather) made a difference last year,” she said, “It was hard to get around, especially for customers who come from out of town.”

For those who are really into living on the edge, the Walgreens store on 40th and Summitview avenues will still be open on Christmas, said store manager Dennis Vanover.

The store has put away the Christmas decorations and has put out gift items in full display for those last-minute shoppers.

The store also gets customers after all the gifts have been opened.

“They just want to get out of the house,” he said.

Tire shop to open in Right Pro space

Just weeks after Right Pro Hardware closed its doors at 1203 N. 40th Ave. last month, the building’s marquee sign let customers shopping at Bi-Mart next door that the building wouldn’t be vacant for too long.

Joel’s Tires, a full-service tire shop, is slated to open by February, said owner Joel Ylvisaker.

Ylvisaker has been in the tire business for 44 years. Most recently, he’s been servicing and ordering tires for commercial vehicles such as farm tractors and delivery trucks from a warehouse.

Those commercial services will continue at the new shop, but he will offer tires and services, such as alignments, for passenger vehicles, he said.

The building, which is being remodeled, was an ideal place to offer these services.

“The traffic count there is huge,” Ylvisaker said.

While the store will be a retail outlet for tires, Ylvisaker hopes his shop will be better known for the services it offers. While Joel’s Tires is expected to be open six days a week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., it will have service trucks on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We’re basing our philosophy that we’re a service company that happens to sell tires,” he said.

Taj Express opens downtown location

The Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce pulled out its oversized scissors last week for a ribbon cutting at Taj Express, an Indian restaurant that opened at 120 E. Yakima Ave.

The restaurant is the second for Jessie and Paul Randhawa, who also own Taj Palace at 2710 W. Nob Hill Blvd. in Yakima.

As we enter the home stretch of holiday shopping, keep track of all the latest retail and restaurant news and trends on Shop Talk. Check out Shop Talk’s blog (www.yakimaherald.com/shoptalk), Twitter page (www.twitter.com/shoptalkexpress) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/pages/YHR-Shop-Talk/54463033365).

Until next time, happy shopping and Merry Christmas.

• Mai Hoang’s Reporter’s Notebook is published Mondays in the Your Money section. To reach her, call 509-577-7685 or e-mail mhoang@yakimaherald.com.