Shopping malls' April sales mixed
| • | Chart: April sales at Hawai'i malls |
By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer
Sales at the state's largest shopping centers continued to have mixed results in April compared to the same month a year ago.
It was the second month in a row for largely up-and-down sales at stores open at least a year.
A continuing slide in tourism arrivals and a so-so Golden Week hurt malls serving large numbers of visitors.
On the other hand, thousands of children out of school for the statewide teachers' strike helped malls catering more to residents.
Golden Week traditionally has boosted the typically slow tourism months of April and May.
In 1998, Hawai'i was Japan's No. 1 destination for the string of Japanese holidays, but since then the Islands have not ranked among the top three, according to the Japan Travel Bureau.
This year, there were fewer Japanese visitors in April, which helped push sales down 11 percent at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. A weaker yen, around 123 to the dollar in April compared to around 105 the year before, also hurt.
"Fewer visitors during Golden Week always affects sales," said Charlian Wright, center marketing director. "We did note that there were about three days of good sales, but it dropped for the balance of the period."
At Kahala Mall, merchants reported solid results from Asian visitors despite lower visitor counts.
The mall's overall 4 percent gain in sales also was influenced by a big Easter promotion and the teachers' strike, which especially benefitted food and theater business.
Pearlridge reported a 32 percent increase in business at its arcades, theaters and miniature golf course.
"The kids had a lot of free time on their hands," said Scott Creel, center marketing director.
Sales at Ala Moana Center were down 3 percent despite a strong showing in the family apparel category, which was up 6 percent, and food business, which was up, too.
Despite soft sales in April, some malls continue to have positive results for the first four months of the year.
Aloha Tower Marketplace sales are still up 5 percent through April after falling 4 percent during the month. Queen Ka'ahumanu Center sales are up 2 percent through April after flat results for the month.
Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8065.
