ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 5, 1996 TAG: 9601050035
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MEGAN SCHNABEL
``A lot of the big-ticket items just didn't sell well," said Ken Jones, assistant manager of Hills Department Store on Hershberger Road. He said it's tough to make annual predictions in January, when sales tend to be slow anyway, but he thinks consumers are going to hang onto their money - and finish paying off their credit cards - in 1996. "I've got a feeling they're going to be cautious."
``This Christmas season was not bad for us. ... It was over our target and over what we expected to do," said Mike Puckett, manager of Kmart at Crossroads Mall. That's because the store carries goods that people need, he said. And being in the mall helps, too. "This is an easy-in, easy-out location."
``A lot of home-directed products sold very well," said Norma Carlisle, manager of the Sears, Roebuck & Co. store at Valley View Mall. Tools, computers, carpeting and exercise equipment were hot Christmas gifts, and she thinks they'll continue to sell in 1996. But customers aren't going to start throwing money away. "The customer is looking for a lot of value. ... They'll be somewhat tentative, in that they won't spend their money unwisely."
LENGTH: Short : 32 linesby CNB