Holiday shopping boost expected to help the economy as 2016 winds down
Shoppers in Santa Barbara say they are looking online and in the stores this holiday season for deals.
Some are even looking online while in the stores. That is to do price comparison and to review a product, and also to get a store to do a “price match.”
There are shoppers who want to touch, feel and buy, then there are those that want to search and wait for the best deal online with a product delivered to their doorstep
Dom Ventura said, “I see a lot of people looking on their phones to see what’s the best consumer product they can buy, what range price it is, what reviews it’s gotten or what feedback it’s gotten.” He says there are different styles of shopping these days. “I think it just depends on what you are shopping for and how you are shopping this holiday season.” One shopper was buying and returning on the same day. His friends were shopping in the stores and on their phones as they walked through the Paseo Nuevo Mall. “The people I am with, they were checking discounts on line and I said I just want to buy it. I don’t even want to know,” said Justin Cox. He also said he was over spending and had to rethink his purchases. For some shoppers the price discount is the tipping point. Others want the item on the spot. Christmas Stewart, was in town with friends and said, “there really isn’t a line of demarcation. In terms of percentage. It’s more of a sliding scale of want versus a percentage.” Shopping in Santa Barbara local stores downtown along with the boutiques unique to the area, Susan Bejeckian said she is now convince on line shopping is the best for her. “I’m an old school baby boomer. I really want to see what I am getting.” She also saw an Italian Pottery outlet with one of a kind pieces and a discount rack she found with the help of an employee that gave her an extra 20 percent off. Shopper expected to see deals today, but anticipate more as the season unfolds. Most said they were going to spend as much or more than last year.
