Retailers say business has remained steady in Ottumwa

By SCOTT NILES Courier staff writer

Tue, May 13 2008

— OTTUMWA — The overall U.S. economy may be moving at a snail’s pace, but some Ottumwa businesses and residents say they have yet to feel the recession pinch.
“Our profits are actually up from last year,” said Ottumwa Pro Tan Tanning Salon Manger Dana Blunt. “I think people pick what they want to spend their extra money on.”
She has, however, noticed a fluctuation in product sales.
“I think a lot of people have found a brand of lotion they like and then they order it online for cheaper and I can’t compete with that,” she said.
Other stores have seen changes, but not necessarily a decrease in sales.
Judy Rhynas of Rhynas Jewelers in Ottumwa said chain sales have dropped slightly with the increase in gold prices.
“We have been selling more sterling silver,” she said.
“The price of gold and platinum has come to the point where we have to call into our suppliers when we have an order for them.”
Rhynas said their customers are also aware that the jewelry retailer is unique.
“We are different in the aspect that we make a lot of custom pieces,” she said. “Not many people around here do that.”
“We try and order in what the client asks for and what is in demand at the time. We pretty much make every piece we have in the store. We set all the diamonds here.”
Ottumwa Goodwill Industries Manager Betty White said sales this year have been steady compared to last year’s sales.
“The middle of last year is when we really saw a slump,” she said. “The last couple months have been pretty stable.”
White said she knows when other retailers raise their prices because they tend to see an increase in the number of shoppers buying at their store.
“People buy more clothes here than anything else,” she said. “You can get about three or four shirts for the same price of one at a retail store.”
White also said Goodwill sees an increase in business when gas prices jump higher.
That’s the same time that the South Hy-Vee Manager Chris Stoos said he sees an increase in sales.
Hy-Vee, along with some other retailers, offers discounts on gas.
“We have a daily discount, but people can also get additional cents of each gallon of gas by the amount they spend in the store,” he said.
As far as groceries go, few changes have been seen, Stoos said.
“The biggest change I have seen is people coming in with lists. People are not going up and down the aisles picking up things like before. People seem to be buying smarter,” he said.
That’s what Ottumwan Jerry Burk has done.
“I watch the sale ads religiously and it helps me plan out a weekly budget,” he said.
Burk said he has a limited income and must watch how much he spends. He writes out a grocery list of what he needs, plans a route for his errands and cut costs any way he is able to.
“People just need to buy smaller quantities and make sure nothing goes to waste,” he said.
Fellow Ottumwan Darlene Annis said she tries to budget and is thrifty when she shops, regardless of the current economy.
“We shop here for a little bit of everything. I even got this coat here,” she said, grabbing the collar of her fleece jacket, while at Goodwill.
Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.

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