Businesses banking on big season

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Local businesses hope a big Black Friday shopping spree will boost sales for the final year-end financial numbers.

"When half of your business is in the last three months and you hit a flat spot, you do get concerned," Steve Dillon, owner of Out Of The Blue toy store, told KRQE News 13. Last year was one of the toughest years he's ever had although he is optimistic 2009 holiday sales will be up, Dillon added.

"Right now the economy is tough," Paradise Village Electronics owner Mike Griego told News 13.

Griego is also optimistic this year. He said his electronics store is not as vulnerable to poor holiday sales since only 30 percent of his annual business comes in October, November and December.

Meanwhile Roy Patton, owner of Krystal's NFL Shoppe, said he sees better sales than the 12-14 percent slip he had last holiday season.

"They're strong," Patton said about his early holiday sales. "But the amount they're spending is off about 10 percent as far as the ticket sales."

A recent study by a consumer research group estimated U.S. households will spend an average of $390 on Christmas gifts this year. However the same study found households in the Mountain Southwest, which includes New Mexico, will spend less than that at $332 per household.