senting more than 24,000 stores.
Although both surveys showed
consumers and retailers were
"concerned" about the economic
future, short-term confidence
wasn't impaired. Retailers sur-
veyed nationally predict a 3 to 5
percent increase, far below Michi-
gan retailers' expectations. Last
year, national retailers predict-
ed a 4 to 7 percent increase. Fi-
nal holiday season sales were up
5.5 percent.
"We found the Midwest to be
the most solid region (along with
the Southwest)," said Karen Mac-
Donald, communications man-
ager at Taubman Centers, which
operates 20 region-al shopping
centers in 12 states, including
Fairlane, Lakeside and Twelve
Oaks.
Ms. MacDonald and Mr. Mey-
er, of the Michigan Retailers As-
sociation, point to solid profits
from the Big Three automobile
manufacturers, increased dis-
posable income and the state's
low unemployment rate as rea-
sons for the strong consumer re-
sponse.
Increased spending can also be
seen in corporate gifts, said
Randy Forrester, spokesperson
for the Bloomfield Plaza Mer-
chants Association.
"This year, there seems to be
more of a trend in buying gifts for
entertaining," said Mr. Forrester,
whose Studio 330 store sells chi-
na, glass, linens and flatware.
While retailers around the
state recorded about a 6 percent
sales increase last summer, be-
fore the fall slowdown, business
has been strong all year at
Twelve Oaks in Novi, according
to Philip Morosco, general man-
ager.
Overall, in November stores at
Twelve Oaks reported a 10 per-
cent increase in sales from last
year. Mr. Morosco claims there's
no reason not to assume that De-
cember will be as impressive.
"People feel more comfortable
buying," he said. "We're getting
people from all over the state. It's
better than last year, which was
a very good year." ❑
(Diteooett
41eqatiem in a
Versorti'
dixed
setting
i
(Deer
R.G. Jewelry now open in
Southfield's Harvard Row Mall.
ne, dIscoi.er the beauty of exquisite iewelry
and unmatched customer service. ifs a brand of per- ,
sonal ntion that you lust won't find anymore. The
kind that saVS kVe cate, we understand and we want
you to be satislied.
;$0 when you want to surprise that special someone,
come to the place that treats you extra special, Dis-
cover the brilliance of
R.G. jewelry, where the only thing that
outshines our lewelry is our service.
Now open in Southfield's Harvard Row Mail.
J E W E L R Y
Harvard Row Mall
21750 West 11 Mile Road
Southfield, Ml (810) 358-5540
Mon. - Thurs.10 a.m. -8 p.m„ Fri. 10a.m. -3 p.m., SIIII.12-4p.m.
Open Saturday Nights Dec.16 & 23, 730 p.m.-10:00 p.m,
premiere 3ssue
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