Retail sales nationally rose each of the past two months, according to figures released yesterday, but a snowstorm forecast for this weekend has Massachusetts retailers worried they could lose critical holiday sales.
The Commerce Department said November retail sales rose 0.7 percent — the biggest gain in five months — and October's figure was revised higher to 0.6 percent. But although two straight months of healthy sales suggest steady hiring is encouraging Americans to spend more this holiday season, this weekend's storm is raising concerns, particularly at small businesses.
"It's worrisome," said Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. "We have three weekends before Christmas this year, compared to four last year, and that's where most of the sales occur. And the closer you get to Christmas, the more important those weekends become."
National Weather Service meteorologist Charlie Foley said this weekend's storm is expected to dump two to four inches on the Boston area, one to three inches on the Cape and islands, and five to eight inches on the Merrimack Valley into northern Worcester County.
"It won't be a blockbuster, but it'll be the first significant snowstorm of the season," Foley said.
Alissa Eck, owner of Exclusive Jewels on Beacon Hill, worried that even a light snowfall in Boston might keep people home.
"Right now, it's so close to Christmas," said Eck. "It will definitely hinder how many people come out."
Herald wire services contributed to this report.
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