CHARLOTTE, NC — It’s crunch time for holiday shopping. Millions of people will be using the next two weeks to get their loved ones a Christmas gift. For small businesses, this season has been tougher than years past.

Michelle Castelloe owns Moxie Mercantile in Plaza Midwood as well as in Matthews. She says it’s been a slower start to the holiday shopping season this year including on Small Business Saturday.

“It just felt different. It didn’t feel like the purchases were as big as they might have been, or the amount of people. We had steady traffic, but not as much,” explained Castelloe.

Traditions Interiors located in Park Road Shopping Center posted last week a similar sentiment. Writing in part: “this season feels different. It’s quieter. People are browsing, but fewer are commit

See Full Page