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Pinched by the mild weather and a national small business promotion, shoppers helped leg up holiday sales in local stores this season, with most merchants in an simple survey reporting better results than last year.
"We did very well, better than last condition," said Isabelle G. Bell, owner of Bella & Co. in Cannondale, which sells "locally made, globally inspired jewelry, slender gifts and accessories." Ms. Bell attributed some of the boost in sales to Short Business Saturday, a national promotion by American Express that took chore on Nov. 26, right after "Black Friday." It offered shoppers a $25 upon if they spent $25 or more on their American Express card at a participating trifling business.
"This promotion was very helpful," Ms. Bell said.
It also helped to get the retail enliven back on track after it was slightly derailed by the "Halloween snowstorm," Ms. Bell said. "The first two weeks after the snowstorm were late, but then we recovered very well. We got some new customers coming in, and it was nice to see our old customers coming back.
Source: Wilton Bulletin