"lift -buying
Ip from ‘76
United Press International
•Texas shoppers, reflecting the
’s strong climate for consump-
are spending more of their
ley - even with inflation consid-
- for Christmas purchases this
than last.
UPI survey showed the state’s
omy is so healthy Texans began
ping earlier, before Thanksgiv-
in many areas, and are buying
big ticket’’ items which push
lilers toward record sales. But
[expensive shirts, dolls and “Star
rs” games also are enjoying
lenomenal” sales.
he Federal Reserve Bank in Dal-
and UPI sampled the state’s best
iwn retail names - Sears, Pen-
s, Montgomery Wards,
iger-Harris, Sakowitz, Joske’s,
iman-Marcus, Foley’s, Frost
thers and Titche’s - and found
iroved sales throughout Texas.
[n Dallas retail sales increased 10
j 14 percent for the last week in
>y Michael^ (V ember and for the month, re
dance ifo ’ctively.
[n Houston the totals were plus 7
rcent for the week and plus 10
rcent for the month,
yable 04 ' an Antonio merchants enjoyed
tiflcalev I ® percent increase for the week
bd 5 percent for the month,
n Austin, sales improved plus 13
^ 12 percent for the week and
mth.
|“This indicates to me that retail
iesare pretty strong. ’’ Green said,
ertainly prices are higher this
• than last because of inflation,
not 14 percent Dallas monthly,
fa it shows a real increase in unit
id dollar sales.
|Green said the economic outlook
I
irTexas was strong, prompting res-
lents to “treat themselves or their
milies to a special Christmas.”
He attributed the boom to low
'employment and continued busi
es and population growth.
In Austin, the manager of a Pen-
ly’s store said sales were consid-
ably better than last year.
“We find the shoppers are buying
Its of big items - microwave ovens
real big, electronics such as TV’s
ay dassf'j >d stereo component systems are
■al hot,” say Ray Kilgore. “TV
limes are just phenomenal. In
istantdi s " dl appliances, donut makers
ation, sail ^ rea l b>g- I n wearing apparel,
it coursesi annel shirts are just phenomenal,
e spring.! oats and other cold weather gear
Survevist e moving slow because we haven’t
itional* a d any cold weather.”
Stanley Moore, owner of Over
tiveisto ie Rainbow, an Austin toy store,
eds anil'! “d sa l es were 20-25 percent ahead
etthe»|f] ast y ear '
1 betwetil "Dolls seem to be going espe-
le spriofB^y we ^ f° r us this year,” he said,
is januaB^c only carry expensive ones like
yladaine Alexander. They don’t
»m to be hesitating as far as ex-
h 1 ensive things go. ”
He sold all his $180 kiddie
lotorcycles (2-speed, disc brakes,
- j attery operated) and said sales
'ere good on stuffed animals cost-
I $80-90.
And then there are the spinoffs
:om Star Wars, the year’s most suc-
essful movie.
“We had a Star Wars board game
$7.95) that we’ve sold out twice,”
, 4oore said. “We never learned how
\ 0 play the game and only one cus-
W omer even asked how it was
^ ilayed. All that mattered was that it
lad that name on it.
“Everybody comes in wanting to
mow what Star Wars items you’ve
;ot. We had some book type packets
ifStar Wars blueprints - diagrams of
ipaceships and things. Those sold
S ight away. People want models,
)ut no models are available.”
Lubbock toy store manager Phil
Hixon said anything associated with
Star Wars was selling well but noted
n there sure is a big increase in edu-
ational toys.
“The shoppers don’t tend to be as
-price conscious as they used to.
• f They don’t mind paying more if they
11 feel it is worth it. They’re being
more quality conscious.”
Jacille Smith, standing in line at a
Lubbock shopping center so her
children could see Santa Claus, said
her family is spending a little more
this Christmas than last.
“The gifts are nicer and we re able
to afford a little more,” she said.
Things are a little more expen
sive.”
She said the mild winter also af
fected her Christmas spirit.
“Tm not as much in the Christmas
spirit as if there was snow on the
ground.”
mts the
husband
and
nityEdtKjJ
I get these)
certificates
with hem
tion alsod
uding nee
g and Cli
ng. Unfa
asses weiei
II classes!
ill be hell
lay brocln
t registnl
ople forgi
liday cln
d, then
as
1
Trim your toudget and tree witb. FedMart’s Savings
Indoor Light Sot
15 light strand, multi
colored bulbs 315X
2.99
Replacement Bulbs
Pkg. of 5 regular bulbs
Red, blue, green or asst.colors.
Outdoor 09
.89
Indoor 07
.69
Turbomachinery
show to draw
for delegates
More than 800 worldwide dele
gates are expected in Houston next
week to visit Texas A&M Univer
sity’s 6th Turbomachinery and
Products Show in the Hyatt-
Regency Hotel.
The Dec. 6-8 exhibition will draw
authorities in turbomachinery plus
60 displays from Japan, Germany,
Switzerland, Sweden and the
United Kingdom.
“Dr. Ichiro Watanabe, a leading
authority on turbomachinery in Ja
pan, will outline new developments
in the Japanese industry,” said Dr.
M.P. Boyce, director of Texas
A&M’s Gas Turbine Labs.
An additional feature of this year’s
program are three sessions aimed at
helping engineers better under
stand the complex areas of balancing
and testing of compressors and
mechanical seals.
THE BATTALION Page 7
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1977
It’s “in the cards” to save at FedMart for Christmas
"Forget Me Not” Boxed Christmas Cards
Assorted designs with envelopes
Gift Paper ^ ^
4 Rolls
30" wide,
40 sq . f t.
1.49
w 'Si
*1
lH.-'ta
p
I4r4t4
Sgi
SI
Si-
IN
Metal Tree Stands
Red & green baked enamel;
plated top ring & eye bolts .
1.89 3
4*99 4" 6*99 s"
Sil% :
Polv Knit
Shirt
Long sleeves,
asst. styles
and colors.
8-16
6.99
Fashion
Pants
100% woven
polyester.
Asst, styles
and colors.
8-18
6.99
Christmas Snpw
Instant
Snowflakes
13 oz.
.49
Fresh-curt
Christma
Plantation Grown
Scotch Pine
5£'-7'
Jumbo Roll
Gift Wrap.
30"wide,
50 sq. ft.
paper or
17 sq. ft.
f oil.
.89
each
Box of 25 with
colored envelopes.
Series 4001-4012
2.99
7.99
Standard Grade
Douglas Fir
3-4'
2.99
5'—6'
3.99
7'—8'
5.99
Plantation Grown
Sheared Douglas Fir >x -
6'-7'
11.99
Kodak
The Handle
Comfortable, easy to use,
no focusing, automatic
exposure control.EK-2
FedMart’s
Price ——_ ^ ^ ^ _
Rebate directly 1JJJ
from Mfg. ^
24.99
Net Price with
Mfg. Rebate
19.99
*A»k at camera counter for full details on this offer &
additional rebates available on other cameras & film.
See Kodak: instant cameras and film
demonstrated Saturday, December lO from
10 to 6.
Quantities limited on some clothing.
'the spot for smart Christmas shoppers
TiAAEX
Men 1 s Watch
Chrome plated,
full numeral
dial.
Sweep hand,
black strap.
(Styles vary
by area)
14.99
Vivitar
600 Point 'N Shoot
Camera Outfit
3 element glass lens,
flashes per set of
batteries. Built in
electronic flash. Film,
flash batteries included
29.99
NORELCO
English feather.
After Shave
4 oz.
Charlie Cologne.
Sorav 2-l/8oz.
Double Burger Cooker
Easy to clean, non-stick
surface. Detachable
cord. HB2222
2.89 5.79 16.99
TIAAEX
Ladies 1 Watch
Chrome plated,
blue dial,
strap.
Sweep hand.
(Styles vary
by area)
10.49
FfedMarf
For yonr Holiday Shopping Convenience
Open Saturday
9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Monday thru Friday 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
San Antonio: S.W. Military Rd Zarzamora/Northwest Loop
#410 (at Vance Jackson RdL)
Houston: Mykawa Rd. & Loop 610/4004 Bellaire Blvd. (at
Weslayan)/Wirt Rd. & Kempwood (W 34th),
Spring Branch
Dallas: E. Northwest Hwy. (at Jupiter Rd.)/Forest Lane &
Marsh Lane
Victoria: E. Mockingbird Laurent Streets
Collage Station: 701 University Drive East
(at Tarrow St.)
Las Cruces: 2200 E. Lehman (near Interstate 25)
Prices subject to change Monday, Dec®*nber 12, 1977.