Ladies Help Kick Off Strong Holiday Shopping Season Downtown

The holiday shopping season is off to a great start in Downtown Glen Ellyn. And, the ladies in town helped make the season bright for retailers.

Ladies Night Out, held Nov. 27, was the most successful to date, surpassing the number of participants last year and the amount of sales.

The number of women who registered for the event was more than 600 this year, said Carol White, executive director of the Alliance of Downtown Glen Ellyn. Last year about 500 women participated.

Sales also exceeded expectation and last year’s numbers, she said. Last year, roughly $35,000 was spent at downtown shops during the evening event held from 6 to 9 p.m.

The event brought in more than $40,000 in sales this year, and that is with four businesses yet to report sales from the event, White said. 

“It was fabulous and the women loved it,” White said of the event.

New this year was the ability to check in those who registered using a smart phone application, she said. In addition, the organization chose to do the ticket sales and payment on its own site, saving money it would have paid to an outside company.

The Ladies Night Out event was one of several downtown events held recently. Ladies Night Out does help businesses get the holiday season off to a good start, since most businesses are coming off of a slower fall sales season, White said.

“Stores are packed with women who are loving it and spending money,” she said. Also, when the women visit the retailers —20 participated this year — they get ideas for future gift purchases.

Many businesses said they saw new customers in their stores during the event, White said.

With holiday shopping season in full swing the Alliance of Downtown Glen Ellyn is promoting its “Your Giving, We’re Grateful” events being held every Thursday evening.

During “Your Giving, We’re Grateful” there are shopping specials at participating businesses, food and drink (no alcoholic beverages) and caroling downtown, she said.

The Thursday night events offer adults a fun way to enjoy a night out and get some holiday shopping done. 

Let Patch save you time. Get more local stories like these delivered right to your inbox or smartphone with our free newsletter. Fast signup here. Like us on Facebook.