DEL.ICIO.USHome Depot, Pike Nurseries ready for Christmas shoppers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
While there may be fewer gifts under the Christmas tree this year, the Christmas tree itself may be trimmed to the hilt. Even as retailers brace for declines in consumer spending, folks may end up spending more on decorating their homes. Two Atlanta companies are planning ahead:
Phil Skinner/pskinner@ajc.com
Phil Talton (left) and Taylor Reighard assemble Christmas trees at the Pike store in Johns Creek.
Joey Ivansco/jivansco@ajc.com
Holiday lawn characters appear to greet Frank Bifulco, Home Depot’s new chief marketing officer.
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Pike Family Nurseries
“During times like these, with the uncertainties and recession, people do seem to cocoon and stay at home,” said Mike Kunce, the CEO and president of Pike Family Nurseries.
“I’ve witnessed this through the ‘82 recession and the ‘93 recession, and [this season] is looking a lot like both of those,” said Kunce, who also heads California’s Armstrong Nurseries, the company that bought Atlanta-based Pike’s.
Pike’s sells live garlands, wreaths and Christmas trees as well as tree ornaments. Stores in metro Atlanta are already stocked for the holidays.
Home Depot
Home Depot stores have been stocked with tree trimmings even before the kiddies trick-or-treated.
“We set Christmas a lot earlier this year in a lot of markets,” said Marvin Ellison, the executive vice president of U.S. stores, during a recent tour of the Vinings store.
Outdoor, inflatable Santa Clauses, solar-powered LED lights and Hanukkah decorations are featured prominently at the front of the big-box store.
The Atlanta-based chain looked at what sold best a year ago to order this year’s supplies. Gone is the inflatable Santa riding a motorcycle. In are big snowmen and lots of lights.
Decking the halls
• $466.13: Average each consumer may spend on gifts for the family.
• $51.43: Average each consumer may spend on holiday decorations.
• $493.3: Total amount that consumers spent on Christmas trees and decorations in 2007, in millions.
• $593.8: Value of items imported to sell to the U.S. market (January to August), in millions.
Source: National Retail Federation, USDA Economic Research Service, Foreign Trade Statistics
— News researcher Nisa Asokan contributed to this article.
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