As the holiday season unfolds, small businesses in Iola are gearing up for what they hope will be a festive and prosperous time. Business leaders like Jock’s Nitch Manager Amber Wood are expressing optimism about the upcoming weeks.
“We’re looking forward to great sales this holiday season and having lots of customers,” Wood confidently shared.
In the face of competition from retail giants, small business owners are striving to draw customers away from the allure of big-box stores. Wood, who has managed Jock’s Nitch in the Iola community for about a year, remains upbeat about the prospects.
“We offer special sales regularly that help bring in customers, so I don’t think inflation is going to be a huge issue for us,” she noted. “Business has been really good, and we are glad to be here.”
The holiday wish for robust sales extends around the square, including Derryberry Breadery owner Paul Porter and Jones Jewelry owner JoAnn Butler.
Porter, whose bakery/restaurant has been a part of the community for eight months, is excited about the progress downtown. “In the past few months, business has accelerated quite a bit,” he remarked. New businesses opening and buildings being renovated has given Porter hope for the future of his business. While he doesn’t believe there will be many challenges specific to the holiday season, he does think it is important for people to shop locally as much as possible.
“People, in all small towns, complain about not having things to do or nice amenities. Really, though, it’s a choice,” Porter said. “Keep the money in the local economy instead of taking it to big retailers.”
Butler, owner of Jones Jewelry since 1999, expressed concerns about the challenging economic climate. “It’s hard to make people want to buy jewelry when they go to the grocery store, and it seems like things cost three or four times more than the last time they were there,” Butler explained. “It’s just hard — business is really hard right now.”
She, too, urged consumers to explore local options before turning to out-of-town retailers, emphasizing the potential for better bargains and the positive impact on the community.
As consumers navigate their holiday spending decisions, recent data from Statista provides insights into their preferences. The survey reveals that 39% of consumers prioritize the shipping and fulfillment experience, while 23% specifically choose small or local businesses for their holiday shopping. Other factors include deals and promotions (16%), positive product reviews (14%), brand loyalty (4%), and environmental considerations (2%).
Over 50% of surveyed U.S. shoppers expressed a heightened focus on finding sales, while 33% indicated they would opt for less expensive gifts this season.
Despite these challenges, local businesses hold out hope consumers will choose to support their community during the holidays and beyond.
“If you’re not investing in your community, nothing is going to change,” Porter emphasized, adding that even small contributions can make a significant difference for local businesses during the holiday season.
