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PAGE 10 - WATERLOO CHROMCLE, WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 8. 1986 Molodoe Martinuk Chronicle Staff It looks as though 1985 will go down in the ledgers as a prosperous year for Waterloo retailers, as representatives of the city's three major shopping malls and the Uptown business association are all reporting significant sales increases during the past 12 months. According to Phil McArthur, manager 0? Waierloo Town Square, store sales at this shopping plaza in 1985 jumped by approximately 15 per cent over 1984's totals. "That's very, very good-three and a half per cent times the inflation rate, We're very pleased. We've had a great year, the vacancy rate is the lowest its every been in the mall. Things are just very positive in Uptown Waterloo," he said. McArthur attributed this upswing to increased consumer con- fidence in Canada, which has led to greater spending nation-wide, especially in the so-called luxury items. Locally, he said, announcements of such major industrial developments as Hewlett- Packard, Magna, and Raytheon's multi-million-dollar contract to supply radar equipment to the federal government have contributed to the buying boom. He added that the decline in interested rates over '84 also fueled spending increases as shoppers "have more disposable income because they're not using as much for debt ser- vice. [ "Waterloo is a booming economy with a lot of expansion occurring-there':: a lot of confidence. Maybe people are tired because they had to restrain their spending during the last few years, and they're letting loose," McArthur said. V Elsewhere in Uptown Waterloo, merchants also enjoyed improved sales, although specific figures could not be provided. Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area Co-ora- Germaine Mageau surveyed a half-dozen shops in the core area, and found that the volume of sales in '85 jumped by approximately 20 per cent, with some shops indicating that business during the Christmas season had improved by 20 to 40 per cent. Mageau said that merchants witnessed a "noticeable increase" in the numbers of shoppers coming into the uptown area this year. While part of this is due to the improved economy, she said merchants are also attributing it to the fact that they've increased their own promotional efforts to attract new customers. Even greater success was experienced at Conestoga Mall, where mall manager Jim Badour reports 1985 sales increased by approximately 25 per cent over 1984. He added that 1984's totals reflected a 20 per cent jump over 1983’s sales figures. Badour explained that Conestoga Mall's situation in the K-W market is a "unique" one for a shopping centre. "The market seems to be growing this way. Lakeshore and Lincoln Villages are full--residential and industrial development is occuring on our doorstep. There's no question that traffic in the mall is up substantially, and that means dollars for us," he said, "To tell you the truth, I can't see any end to it for Conestoga Mall," said Badour. "Waterloo is expanding, and it's all heading towards us. Magna and Manulife alone will mean 3,000 employees right on our doorstep and that'll bring even greater residential development in this area." "I can't see anything but good things in Waterloo's prospects. There's an air of optimism in the community," said McArthur. All predict this sales tremrwill continue through 1986, as those industrial projects announced last year become realities. tttrtrttiet CM ' ss Erb St. E., sunt 3309. Wtttqtrtoo iErts Centre) Individual counselling or group classes. All counselling by Registered Professional Dietitians. We cover all nutrition related disorders and general nutrition as well. Reports indicate retail’s rosy iillti,ttiitiiiriititttiiMti' f CALL 884-1'HIN For a FREE moment From Uptown to ttt shopping m'alls, merchants in Waterloo are hailing 1985 " a good one for business', with sales showing significant increases over 1984’s totals. Twenty organizations, including accounting firms, consumer product manufacturers, camps, members of the tourism industry, painting compa- nies and government agencies will be there to promote summer jobs available with them this year. Students at Wilfrid Laurier University have an opportunity to get an early start on finding summer jobs this year as the university's depart- ment of placement and career services holds its first Summer Job Fair Jan. 15. It is planned as an annual event. - Among the firms participating are Warner-Lam- bert, Canada's Wonderland, Clarkson Gordon, Should you Eutchase your memorial a cad of time, discuss the advantages with us. SUPERIOR MEMORIAIS 528 Ilictoria St. N.. Knew (w - W) 145413 LARGE INDOOR SHOWROOMS Laurier job fair gives I students a head start -l), I 'l, I. Stag 6h?p Waxing StM 71057433!" - "'â€" fir.'gt ii8tii?.2,ttt" St ii),tilgQ _ “Mar at tfh serve. you, YWCA, Procter and Gamble, Triple A Student Painters, Ontario Place and Bingeman Park. _ _ - iGi.idurier students interested in starting their own businesses in the summer. representatives from Student Venture Capital will be on hand. _ _ Paula Delogu, co-ordinator for the event, said "the fair will encourage students to start thinking about their summer job search early. It will also give potential employers an excellent opportunity to spend time discussing positions and assessing the qualifications of Laurier students." The fair is being organized by Laurier's department of placement and career services, with assistance from the student union. .y6thdarirW. Chronicle photo