Are Arcadians Spending More This Holiday?

The good news for holiday shoppers and businesses alike in Arcadia is that, despite the longstanding economic downturn, things are looking up–spending is on the rise.

At least that's the report at the , which reports sales up 6 percent in October. That's much better than the national economic trend: the Commerce Department reported that national spending was up 1.2 percent for the month, growing at the strongest rate since March 2010.

That national growth is misleading though. When the 5 percent gain by the automotive industry is removed, retail sales show a miniscule .04 percent increase.

Retail sales are expected to show a healthier gain in November thanks to the Thanksgiving bump of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. A survey by the National Federation of Retail (NRF) reports spending of $45 million on Black Friday weekend. According to the NRF survey, the average shopper spent $365.34, up $22.03 from 2009's $343.31. 

Echoing that trend on a recent Monday night, Westfield was surprisingly busy, with teenagers trolling in groups, women struggling with bags and families out and about.

One family, the Stadtlers, was multitasking–spending quality time together and getting shopping done. Matt Stadtler, who provides dignitary protection for the speaker of the legislator and is a member of the San Gabriel school board, enjoyed dinner with his wife and kids at Cha Noodle, with plans to visit and after seeing Megamind at the movie theater. When asked how his family's shopping budget compares to last year's, Stadtler's response was a resounding "better."

Perhaps this is because of all the promotions going on, which seem even more aggressive than usual for this time of year as stores attempt to bolster the economy and foster spending. Stadtler agrees, "There are certainly better deals this year, at least for things I'm looking at." He and his family are shopping primarily for clothes and electronics.

Locally, some smaller stores--such as , an eyebrow threading salon and make-up retailer--are also reporting a rise in business with the holidays right around the corner. Assistant Manager Crystal Laquindanum reports that the store is "a lot busier." Laquindanum says that there has been an increasing demand for store gift certificates, which customers can use on eyebrow threading ($11) or discount packages featuring skin products.

A quick glance showed signs for deals in several store windows and seasonal employees in many stores. The tripled its staff in preparation for the season. In other stores, management appears optimistic.

Janet Todisco, a sales associate who has worked at for 24 years, says business is booming inside her store, where all Christmas merchandise is 25 percent off. "Usually we see an increase in sales much closer to Christmas, but we were up in sales beginning in November," Todisco said.

At Nordstrom, sales are healthy, said Adrianna Del Barco, a Kiehl's representative. She said her own sales are "consistent" and that they are "matching last year's numbers." But people aren't necessarily gift-buying, said Del Barco. "Usually people buy two to five items, mostly for themselves."

Anita Garcia and her husband were one such couple shopping in the mall. Garcia, a preschool director, said with a laugh that she and Joe were not Christmas shopping, but rather "spoiling" themselves. They were shopping for household items.

"We're blessed with job security, and it's OK to splurge once in awhile," Garcia said, adding that shopping "helps keep other people employed."

Will the spending continue? Not all the indicators are rosy.

The most recent Department of Labor jobs report, released Dec. 3, showed a growth of only 39,000 jobs in November, with retail trade employment shedding 28,000 jobs.