Paying More At Pump Could Keep Shoppers Local
Evansville Businesses Seeing Shopper Increase
Posted: 6:32 pm CDT August 5, 2008Updated: 9:53 pm CDT August 5, 2008
EVANSVILLE, Wis. -- Some local businesses are benefitting from high gas prices.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportSome small-town businesses may have a competitive advantage over big box stores, simply because they're closer to home. It's impossible to pinpoint why many Evansville businesses are booming, but one theory is that shoppers could be saving on gas by not traveling as far -- and shopping locally , WISC-TV reported."A lot of people look and they can say, 'I can buy it cheaper 30 miles away," said Dave's Ace Hardware general manager Todd Hesgard.Once upon a time that was the case but this summer in the city of Evansville, making the trip to the big box stores in Janesville or Madison means spending a lot more on gas, WISC-TV reported.As shoppers stay local, stores like the Evansville Pharmacy are feeling a boost at the register."We're doing tremendous," said Shelley Meredith, gifts manager at Evansville Pharmacy. "Sales have been the highest they've been in 15 years starting from May, and it's just continued growing."Compared to last summer, the pharmacy's sales are up 25 percent and Dave's Ace Hardware is seeing similar trends. Shoppers are traveling less, but buying more when they come through the door, WISC-TV reported."Customer count is down, on an average transaction day, but the transaction per customer dollar amount is actually higher, so they're buying more things at a one-stop shop," said Hesgard.Not all businesses are thanking high gas prices for increased sales. Numbers at the local Piggly Wiggly are also up this summer but there may be another reason why."Our increases may be because people are staying closer to home, or it may be because of inflation in the cost of food," said Jim Koepecky, owner of the Evansville Piggly Wiggly.Regardless of the reason, city-wide, sales are up and while many question the strength of the economy, many in Evansville have reason to be optimistic, WISC-TV reported."I just keep forward, ahead. I'm looking at the fourth quarter as being very positive, and I'm just trying to keep doing my job as I've always done," said Meredith.In the next few weeks, the Piggly Wiggly in Evansville will be using gas prices to attract customers by offering discounts at a local gas station, when combined with purchasing groceries, WISC-TV reported.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportSome small-town businesses may have a competitive advantage over big box stores, simply because they're closer to home. It's impossible to pinpoint why many Evansville businesses are booming, but one theory is that shoppers could be saving on gas by not traveling as far -- and shopping locally , WISC-TV reported."A lot of people look and they can say, 'I can buy it cheaper 30 miles away," said Dave's Ace Hardware general manager Todd Hesgard.Once upon a time that was the case but this summer in the city of Evansville, making the trip to the big box stores in Janesville or Madison means spending a lot more on gas, WISC-TV reported.As shoppers stay local, stores like the Evansville Pharmacy are feeling a boost at the register."We're doing tremendous," said Shelley Meredith, gifts manager at Evansville Pharmacy. "Sales have been the highest they've been in 15 years starting from May, and it's just continued growing."Compared to last summer, the pharmacy's sales are up 25 percent and Dave's Ace Hardware is seeing similar trends. Shoppers are traveling less, but buying more when they come through the door, WISC-TV reported."Customer count is down, on an average transaction day, but the transaction per customer dollar amount is actually higher, so they're buying more things at a one-stop shop," said Hesgard.Not all businesses are thanking high gas prices for increased sales. Numbers at the local Piggly Wiggly are also up this summer but there may be another reason why."Our increases may be because people are staying closer to home, or it may be because of inflation in the cost of food," said Jim Koepecky, owner of the Evansville Piggly Wiggly.Regardless of the reason, city-wide, sales are up and while many question the strength of the economy, many in Evansville have reason to be optimistic, WISC-TV reported."I just keep forward, ahead. I'm looking at the fourth quarter as being very positive, and I'm just trying to keep doing my job as I've always done," said Meredith.In the next few weeks, the Piggly Wiggly in Evansville will be using gas prices to attract customers by offering discounts at a local gas station, when combined with purchasing groceries, WISC-TV reported.Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
