Isles get
company at top in
U.S. holiday sales

A survey shows that Hawaii,
Massachusetts and D.C. are up
6.8% in check purchases

By Russ Lynch
Star-Bulletin

Hawaii remains in first place in holiday retail sales gains over last year, although it now shares that ranking with Massachusetts and the District of Columbia, according to an ongoing survey by TeleCheck Services Inc.

The national check-acceptance company said purchases by check from the day after Thanksgiving through Sunday were up 6.8 percent in those three areas, compared with check purchases at the same stores through the equivalent 32 days of 1998.

Nationally, check purchases through the same period were up 6.2 percent.

Houston-based TeleCheck says purchases paid for by check are an important indicator of overall retail trends since about one-third of all retail purchases are paid for that way.

The TeleCheck figures bear out what Hawaii retailers are saying, that they had a strong Christmas season and expect to end the year significantly ahead of last year.

Although 1998 was not a strong year for Hawaii merchants, with the state economy still in a slump while the mainland romped ahead, the retailers say they are pleased with this year's results.