ALBANY, N.Y. — New York retailers gave the 2004 holiday shopping season only a “B,” according to James R. Sherin, president and chief executive officer of the Retail Council of New York state.
Consumer electronics, high-end goods and luxury merchandise performed best in a year that topped 2003 but ended modestly as expected, said Sherin.
“We have members who experienced one of the best seasons in their history, and others who are quite disappointed with the end result,” he continued.
Sherin said a shopping boom in the final days before Christmas helped retailers realize sales goals in a year in which merchandisers blamed the lackluster season on a lack of must-have holiday gifts, as well as rising interest rates and skyrocketing energy costs.
Since gift cards, a popular present this year, are not counted as sales until redeemed, “the holiday sales will spill over into January, which extends the time retailers need to wait to determine the ultimate success of the season,” said Sherin.
Individual store results were not published as retailers participated in the survey on the condition of anonymity, according to Rebecca Marion, director of public affairs for the retail council.