Economy, Asia
dampen Oahu mall sales

Star-Bulletin staff

Shoppers were cautious about spending in January leaving sales at the major retail centers on Oahu either flat or down compared with one year ago.

Statewide retail sales were at $1.179 billion for the month, down 18 percent from $1.444 billion in January, 1996, according to state Department of Taxation records.

Here's a look at the sales results for Oahu's major malls in January, the most recent month available, provided to the Star-Bulletin by the malls.

Ala Moana Center: Sales fell 16.97 percent, said Dwight Yoshimura, general manager.

"It's the same story of a soft local economy, and the Asian (economic) upheaval" Yoshimura said.

He also noted that several stores were not operating because of the construction on the new Neiman Marcus store, which is scheduled to open in the fall.

None of the mall's specific retail categories showed a sales gain, compared with January 1997, he said.

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center: Business dropped 24 percent, said Charlian Wright, marketing director.

She cited the same reasons as the changing yen-to-dollar exchange rate, which hurts shoppers from Japan, the Asian economic problems, changing spending habits and lower hotel occupancies.

However, there were bright spots including food sales, up 17 percent; entertainment, up 2 percent; and jewelry, up 1 percent.

Victoria Ward Centers: Sales rose 1.7 percent, said Valerie O'Brien, managing director of marketing.

"We've expanded our category mix in the last year," O'Brien said. "For example, now we have more men's stores."

Strong categories were: specialty stores, up 357 percent; specialty/casual wear, up 213 percent; large stores (Computer City, Border's, Home Outlet, and Sports Authority), up 13.6 percent; and restaurants, up 10.5 percent.

Victoria Ward Centers include Ward Warehouse, Ward Centre, Ward Gateway, and Ward Village Shops, with a total of 425,000 square feet.

(This is the first time the group of shopping centers was included in this monthly report.)

Kahala Mall: Sales were "relatively flat," up only .11 percent, said Laurie Hara, events coordinator. Still, it was the 29th consecutive month of growth.

"We had our normal crowd but a lot of stores said that customers were reluctant to spend," Hara said.

"They were cautious on how to use their discretionary income."

Strong categories were: specialty retail, up 19.98 percent; specialty apparel, up 10.42 percent; and services, up 10.3 percent.

Pearlridge Center: Sales rose .4 percent, the 15th consecutive month of growth, said Heidi DiEugenio, marketing manager.

The flat January followed a good December, she said

"People spent their money during the holidays," DiEugenio said.

Top gainers were: specialty retail, up 36 percent; women's apparel, up 26 percent; specialty food, up 16.5 percent; and music, records, and home electronics, up 14 percent.

Windward Mall: Sales were down 3 percent, said spokeswoman Wright. "January has consistently shown decreases for the last few years and the decrease in 1997 is much less than in 1996," she said. Strong sales categories included unisex apparel.