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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Retailers Await Onslaught Of Holiday Season Shoppers

Compiled By Business Staff

The annual holiday shopping spree begins unofficially Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, as Spokane and Kootenai County shopping centers prepare to battle for shoppers.

For the first time in years, downtown Spokane businesses are flush with cash they raised for promotional events to compete against the free parking, controlled atmosphere and special events at area malls.

If recent retail sales figures are any indication, merchants in every quarter will need all the enthusiasm they can muster to get shoppers to part with their money.

U.S. retailers last week reported weak sales in October, setting the stage for a possibly weak holiday shopping season. Economists said consumers have scaled back purchases because of debt and uncertainties about the economy’s future.

But that won’t keep every shopper from spending a lot of money. Analysts say hot items that will tempt shoppers include computers, videos, specialty apparel and food.

In other events this week:

Today

Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce board of trustees meets at noon at 1020 W. Riverside.

Gonzaga University presents a free session on “Educating Leaders for the 21st Century” at 7 p.m. in the Washington/California Room of the COG. Call Joseph Albert at 328-4220, ext. 3564.

International scientific meeting opens in Geneva on after-effects of Chernobyl disaster.

Tuesday

The Washington State University 1996 Agricultural Outlook Conference opens at the Red Lion Inn at Pasco. Cost: $35. Call 509-335-2854.

USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council’s grower division annual meeting opens at 8:30 a.m. at the University Inn-Best Western in Moscow, Idaho. Call 208-882-3023.

DMA CyberMedia Premiere ‘95 opens at the Westin Hotel in Seattle to showcase the latest in digital entertainment. Call 800-611-8518 for information.

ISO 9000 networking breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the Business Training and Technology Center, 3939 N. Freya. Call Karen Neubauer at 533-4725.

Wednesday

Spokane Area Economic Development Council board of directors meets at 7:30 a.m. in the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce building, 1020 W. Riverside.

Saturday

European Union foreign ministers meet in Barcelona, Spain with their counterparts of Mediterranean countries of the Mideast and North Africa.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Lumber prices

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, Nov. 20: The economy is still growing, but mortgage delinquencies are at levels you would expect in a recession, says Business Week.

COMPUTER INVESTING Here are a few sources for computer-aided investing: “The Individual Investor’s Guide to Computerized Investing, 12th Edition,” published by the American Association of Individual Investors, $24.95. (312) 280-0170. “Computerized Investing,” a newsletter of the AAII. Subscription is $40 nonmembers; $30 members. AAII Online, a forum on America Online. Keyword is AAII.

This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, Nov. 20: The economy is still growing, but mortgage delinquencies are at levels you would expect in a recession, says Business Week.

COMPUTER INVESTING Here are a few sources for computer-aided investing: “The Individual Investor’s Guide to Computerized Investing, 12th Edition,” published by the American Association of Individual Investors, $24.95. (312) 280-0170. “Computerized Investing,” a newsletter of the AAII. Subscription is $40 nonmembers; $30 members. AAII Online, a forum on America Online. Keyword is AAII.