Retailers ready for busy weekend

Local retailers are gearing up for the 10th annual sales tax holiday this weekend.

The holiday, which runs from 12:01 a.m. Fri., Aug. 7, until midnight Sun., Aug. 9, gives shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers and clothing free of state sales tax, and some local sales taxes.

The cities of Andalusia, Opp and Florala, the town of Red Level and Covington County have waived local sales taxes. The towns of Gantt and River Falls have not.

Included in the tax-exempt items this weekend are clothing $100 or less per article; computers, computer software and school computer supplies with a single purchase price of $750 or less; and books bound together and published in a volume with an ISBN number with a sale price of $30 or less.

Goody’s of Andalusia store manager Stephanie Kelley said the store is in the process of marking down items.

“We’re having 50 percent coupon sales already,” Kelley said. “We’re having a one-day sale for tax-free items.”

Kelley said the store is planning for a hectic weekend.

“Sales are always good this weekend,” she said.

Goody’s Andalusia will be open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. In Opp, the store, will be open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday.

At Factory Connection, store manager Frances Spann said everything in the store is tax-free for the weekend.

Spann said the store will have a jean sale, where all denim is buy one and get another item half off. Additionally, Factory Connection will have mark downs for the weekend.

“We get new merchandise every day,” Spann said. “They’ve stocked us up for schools.”

The Factory Connection is open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Shoe Department is already having its back-to-school sale going on right now, store manager Jacob Bybee said.

“We do have a 50 percent off sale, and have a few shoes left,” Bybee said.

Shoe Department is open from 9:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from noon until 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Pink Peppers is loading up on backpacks and lunchboxes, along with having a sale on the Stephen Joseph clothing line.

Store hours are Friday are from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.; and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

JC Penney store manager Donna McLeod said the store has received merchandise to compensate with the many sales that are going to be held.

“We’re extra staffed for the customers,” McLeod said. “We’re expecting a lot of traffic.”

JC Penney closes at 8 p.m. on Friday, 9 p.m. on Saturday and is open from noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday.