Shopping all the way: Holiday season in full swing for Illinois retailers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — 'Twas the day after Thanksgiving, and all through the stores, not a doorbuster was missing, not even a blouse.

Illinois business owners are excited for thousands of customers to come through their doors or order online over the next month, as retailers make the vast majority of their sales from now until the end of the year.

"One of the reasons it got its name is because that's the time of the year when retail became profitable," said Rob Karr, President and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. "Prior to that, everyone was running in the red. Hence Black Friday."

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are great opportunities for struggling stores to recover. National surveys show people are willing to spend on gifts this year despite higher prices for gas and groceries.

"We've certainly seen shifts in buying patterns within the grocery sector over the last several months," Karr said. "Consumers will be more cost conscious, but they're indicating that they're willing to spend and have presents under the tree for Christmas and the holidays."

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association said store owners can have a leg up if they deliver unique products and experiences for customers. Karr said many small business owners work together to bring people through their doors.

"They don't see it necessarily as a dollar spent with me is not a dollar spent with you," Karr said. "They see a dollar spent with you and maybe you'll also spend a dollar with me. It's more of a collaborative approach. I think it's healthy for the community, but it also speaks to their need to band together."

Holiday shopping also helps the state and local economy, whether you're out buying or working in a store. Karr said retail makes up roughly 25% of the Illinois workforce.

"We are the largest tax revenue generator for local governments," Karr said. "So, every dollar you spend funds the services we all rely on from police to roads to water. Whatever we rely upon, it's helping fund. And we're the second largest tax generator for the state."

Karr noted there are plenty of part-time job openings for people looking to make extra money during the holiday season. He said a lot of store managers and owners got their start as seasonal employees.