UC Retailers Expect More Local Shopping This Holiday

Local chambers of commerce are reaching out to small businesses to help prepare for the holiday shopping season.

Livingston Overton County Chamber of Commerce Director Shannon Cantrell said she hopes local residents will remember how important these local retailers are to the economy.

“I think there is going to be a trend this year with people staying home, and people shopping at local stores for Christmas,” Cantrell said. “Honestly, that is something we should do all the time. Our local businesses in our community are very important.”

Cantrell said multiple downtown businesses have evolved with the pandemic and are pivoting to online shopping options this holiday. The chamber is also looking for grant funding to provide more COVID precautions for retailers focused on in-person shopping.

Jackson County believes the pandemic actually works in its favor. Chamber of Commerce President Jordan Hunter said its members are prepping for a slight increase in sales.

“In rural communities, I feel like people are staying close to home,” Hunter said. “They are not going to the bigger places to get things, so I feel like in our community specifically people are actually buying more at this time.”

Hunter said the majority of businesses are not exploring virtual services and are sticking to in-person shopping this season. Jackson County is hosting its Christmas parade on December 5th.