Oahu retail sales
lagged in May

Star-Bulletin staff

Many Oahu malls used elaborate promotions to boost sales in May but the slow economy and lower tourist numbers continued to take a toll on some major retail centers.

Statewide retail sales were at $1.011 billion for the month, down 13.8 percent from $1.173 billion in May 1997, according to state Department of Taxation records.

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

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center: Sales fell 23 percent, said Charlian Wright, marketing director. She blamed a lower visitor count from Asia and weaker yen-to-dollar exchange rate.

"Eastbound visitor arrivals were down over 11 percent and beachfront hotels were especially hit with a drop of over 6 percent occupancy," Wright said. "While the Japanese are spending fewer dollars in the center, we find that westbound visitors expenditures are continuing to increase as compared to 1997."

Ala Moana Center: Sales dropped 18.41 percent, said Dwight Yoshimura, general manager. He said the soft local economy, a drop in tourists, and renovation work at the mall contributed to the drop.

However the mall has added some new stores, including Island Magnets, Curry House Coco Ichibanya, Yokozuma, and the Hat Zone. Aloha Grill and Schlotzsky's Deli also have re-opened following renovation work in the area.

Victoria Ward Centers: Sales rose 5.5 percent, said Valery O'Brien, managing director of marketing. "We had a very good Mother's Day promotion and also a Paniolo-theme event for Miss Universe on May 2," O'Brien said.

Kahala Mall: Sales slipped 3.14 percent, said Laurie Hara, marketing director. "We have a lot of traffic but they are just not buying as much," she said.

Shoppers came for the promotions, including a free trip to Portugal, and a new computer given to Lunalilo Elementary School for bringing in the most newspapers to recycle. A total of 7,000 pounds of newspapers was collected for recycling, Hara said.

Pearlridge Center: Sales were up .3 percent, said Heidi DiEugenio, marketing manager. "Our customers are remaining loyal to us when there are specific buying needs like Mother's Day," she said. "They aren't spending as much on impulse buys but more on holidays."

The Brookstone gadget and gift shop is opening this month, and Thinker Toys, which sells educational toys, will open before Christmas, she said.

Windward Mall: Business climbed 13 percent, said Sandi Oguma, marketing director. "This was largely due to sales at JC Penney, which is closing Aug. 1," Oguma said.

"They brought in a lot of inventory they didn't have before and people took advantage of savings on merchandise that they would not see at a community store."