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4-The Canadian Champion, Wednesday, January 2, 2002 S pecializing In: 0Wenrst. CallJbr Your Free Consultation 5500Ontario St. S. Unit 18 905-875-2889 lm -Local retailers report good sales dc%ý-Wkpitc thesI' xoictne By FANNIE SUNSHINE The Champion Despite Milton's lack of large retail stores. the outlets in town cleaned up nicely this Christmas season. Scott Weir, manager of Zellers at Milton MaIl. said Christmas sales went very well. "Fashion, footwear and our seasonal lines were up to, 50 per cent off. With the electronjcs thErE were somne discounts but flot a lot. Dur numbers were up across the board." Although Boxing Day sales ended last week, the store's clear- ance sales go until the end of the month. 'Men it's timne to, thtrtk about the spring and summrer Urnea, he aaid. "We really try to pleasE the cuatomner. We weren't surprised at how well our sales were this Chriatmas. We like the patronage of Attention..... to those Milton residents currently enrolled in the mih Pre-Authorized Tax Pa'yment Program (PTP) Effective 2002, the withdrawal schedule for aIl month- Iy participants in the PTP programi wiil be revised. Withdrawals wiii take place on the first business day of February and each month following until November; for a total of ten withdrawals. A scbedule wili be mailed t0 you shortly advising you of the amountis for the first five withdrawals. Please note that no changes have been made to the instaliment plan (i.e. four withdrawals on the standard four dates.) ShouId you require further clarification, please contact Corporate Services direct ai (905) 878- 7252 ext. 2193 the town.' Canadian Tire also did well on both pre and post-Christrnas sales, said generai manager Dasvid Shuvera. "Dur auto tires are on sale right now, along with a wide seiec- tien of other products. (This week) storage reiated products. like Rubbermnaid. wiil go on sale. We're starting to dlean and tidy up the store through January and February." And aithough the store soid a lot of electronic items, househoid appliances, sports equipruent and snow-reiated items stili uine the sheives. " We've seen a start on our winter related products, but it stili hasn't picked Up yet. People generaily need to see snow before they buy toboggans or GT Snowracers." Michelle Sehouten, manager of Suzy Shier, said customners stant- ed flocking to the store a week before Christmas. "Up until Christmas Eve il was nuts," she said. "P.J's, house- coata and sweaters were our main sellera. (Sales) were better than 1 hoped for." With the Christmas rush over, business bas aiowed down but still remnains steady, Ms Schouten said. "Our fali merchandise is on sale until January 6. Then we'il get our spring stuif in. It was a good season." Radio Shaek aiso experienced a swarm of pre-Christmas shop- pers. "It went a lot better than expected," said Josh Nejasmic, manag- er of the eiectronics store. "The big sellers this year were ceil phones, CD players, MP3 players, Pisytation, digital camneras and satellites." Cabies and batteries for merchandise were on sale iast week, he said. "We tty to keep ail the popular items in stock. i was hoping it would be a uitile busier but i can't compiain." But the samne can't be said for Spokes 'N' Siopes. "Needless to, say, witb the iack of snow, most Miltonians do ski and until there's snow on the bill people realiy don't think about buying skis and boots," said owner Mats Burger, adding gioves, ski pants and jackets would normally be big sellers this timne of year. "(Sales) were a littie slow before Christmas. You almost need somnething to trigger people into shopping. In this case, it's snow." But sales did stars iD pick up severa days after Christmas when Keiso opened. he said. "'Me lessons started on the bill. People are now bringing in their' skis for tune-ups and realizing their boots don't fit and they need a new pair. Now it's ail starting to move because of the coid weaîher and the ski hili is open. I was a uitile disappointed before Christmas but I knew (the cold weather and snow) would corne." 1 b4( main bt. Iz. For orer 50.vs'ars, mèe' î'een heIping' aduits svi1h phYsical disahilities lie more independenf lves. You CAN HELP! PLEASE DONATE OR VOLUNTEER TODAY 1-800-263-3463 or visit us at www.dimes.on.ca SONTARIO LA MARCHE MARCH DES DIX SOUS 0F DIMES DE L'ONTARIO "YourLinkto te Fuure" today's ïï paper EA CANADA S LARGEST