HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
FREE | Scottsdale.org
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
Thursday, November 24, 2022
Businesses hopeful as holiday shopping revs up BY JOSH ORTEGA AND ALEX GALLAGHER Staff Writer
S
lammed as much as their customers have been this year by inflation and supply line disruptions, Scottsdale and East Valley small business owners hope the Christmas shopping season will bring them a little cheer. Buoying those hopes are reports like one earlier this month by Catherine Cullen, senior director of industry and consumer insights for the National Retail Federation and NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz, who predict healthy holiday sales as consumer spending contin-
Like many Scottsdale and East Valley retailers, the Bass Pro Shop in Mesa got an early jump on the holiday shopping season by bringing in Santa a week after Halloween. Jerry “Zippy” Gibbons donned jolly the traditional attire, delighting Kate, Emmet and Natalie Smith. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)
ues to reinforce economic activity. “Almost regardless of what’s going on in the economy, consumers want to celebrate holidays,” Cullen said. “They want to give gifts to their loved ones, and they want to make this time of year feel special.” But while Kleinhenz predicted holiday retail sales would grow by 6-8% this year, the federation noted that its research also shows “consumers are feeling the impact of inflation in different ways. “Higher-income consumers are plan-
see SHOP page 12
Nonprofits looking to Giving Tuesday for help BY JOSH ORTEGA Staff Writer
A
rea nonprofits are hoping that people will open their hearts – and their wallets – amid a growing number of needy families who are feeling inflation’s wrath. It starts, they hope, next week as Arizona joins the international observance of Giving Tuesday Nov. 29, a movement that started in 2012 to “give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.”
BESTOF
2021
The day is important to people like Lorraine Tallman, CEO of Amanda Hope Rainbow Angel, a nonprofit she started in 2018 to help children with cancer and blood disorders in memory of her 12-year-old daughter, who died in 2012. “I travel a lot speaking about familycentered care, and I’m always blown away at how generous Arizonans are,” said Tallman, whose nonprofit keeps alive Amanda’s dream of designing apparel as well as help for families saddled with high medical bills.
“We try to go to grocery stores that will give us a discount when we buy the gift card, so we get more for the dollar,” Tallman said, adding that her group, like many others, are “just asking our people that support us to give a little more this year.” “I see a lot of needs flooding in,” Tallman said. “So, that’s why we’re really pushing Giving Tuesday.” The need has grown as inflation and soaring housing costs take their toll. “With rising costs of toys and books, we’re asking the community to step up
and help us with gifts and cash donations,” said Maureen Noe, president & CEO of Arizona Helping Hands, which helps thousands of foster children. “We provide children 0-12 with new toys and books and teens and young adults 13-21 will receive gift cards so they can enjoy some holiday shopping,” she said. There are many ways for the community to get involved and help make the holidays a little brighter for
Special Happy Thanksgiving from Our Family to Yours!
40 Years Serving the Central Valley
see CHARITY page 6
The Valley’s trusted Heating and AC professionals for over 40 years!
www.BrewersAC.com 480-725-7303
SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643