Retailers are counting on North Texas shoppers to return to in-person shopping in large numbers this holiday season.
Shopping used to be a given the day after Thanksgiving, but like so many aspects of everyday life, for many of us it didn’t happen last year.
On Friday, shoppers again filled the NorthPark Center in Dallas with crowds that commemorated 2019.
Khadijah Taylor from Dallas came with her family specifically looking for a personal experience.
“COVID has messed up a lot for everyone and it’s good to just be around people,” said Taylor. “To be honest, I didn’t really like the fact that I had to shop online, so it really makes a difference that I can come in and actually try on jeans or boots or whatever.”
As demand continues to rise, retailers expected 2 million more shoppers in stores this year compared to 12 months ago.
The NorthPark Center is not only an iconic shopping destination in North Texas, it is also regularly ranked among the top 5 shopping destinations in the USA
On Friday, the corridors were filled with shoppers and a variety of distinctive native live plants, but shoppers said the mood was more relaxed than it has been for years.
“It’s nice to be outside, to be active, and to actually shop,†said Tamarco Taylor.
“We really make a living from being with other people, so I think that’s another reason why it’s so great that we can do this again,” added Kadijah Taylor.
Shopping malls across North Texas are expecting even more activity over the next four weeks.
Traffic to the NorthPark Center in October, the last available month, even surpassed October 2019, giving retailers optimism that the pent-up demand for personal purchases will only increase.
Jill Herzog and her two children Jenna Wesson and Cade Wesson arrived when the doors opened at 10am on Friday at the NorthPark Center
“It makes me hopeful, as if we’ll get through this, and I have a feeling that people are feeling more positive – definitely,” said Herzog.
“Interacting with others is just a nice change from the last few years,” added Jenna Wesson. “It’s a nice transition.”
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