May 23, 2013
News 12 This Morning at 6 o'clock // Thursday, July 12, 2012
AUGUSTA, GA -- During a recession every penny counts in the family budget, and some families are pinching more by shopping at local consignment stores. As some businesses continue to struggle, in the past year Goodwill Industries sales soared.
The registers inside the Goodwill retail store on Furys Ferry chimed non-stop as they ring in the cash. Clerk stayed busy filling bags, helping one customer after.
Susan Everitt, with Goodwill Industries said, "We have people that shop for more of a necessity and we have people who are bargain hunters who love the thrill of the shop."
Steals like three dollar pants, shirts with tags still on them and back to school bargains, keep shoppers and moms like Everitt in the store for deals they can't pass up. "You can save hundreds, particularly if you have small children."
During a recession the hunt for a good bargain can turn into a necessity. Traci Borish, another Goodwill shopper added, "If you don't have a job like me right now, I come here and it's cheaper."
Customers like Borish have helped drive up sales in the past year. "Our June sales from this store, from this year to last year was an increase of 28%, which is great," Everitt explained.
Across the region Goodwill stores increased their sales numbers by 13%. As their registers racked up the dollars, the cash customers forked over still stayed at a minimum.
Borish said, "I come like two or three times a week."
"It is harder for people to use their money and they are trying to use it wisely," said Everitt.
With a fancier store fronts, newer stores attract new customers who may not have looked to Goodwill in the past. "We have shoppers from all levels, from all sociology-economic levels, from all races," Everitt said.
Allowing everyone to stretch every dollar and the family budget to the max.
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