By Rachel Pleasant
Staff Writer

The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Center for Economic Forecasting at Charleston Southern University have good news for the tri-county’s area retailers.

According to an economic forecast recently released by the chamber and CSU, taxed retail sales in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties are expected to reach nearly $3.8 billion in the fourth quarter of this year.

The chamber and CSU regularly partner to publish economic forecasts.

For the same period a year ago, the forecast predicted taxed sales of $3.35 billion. Actual sales for the quarter equaled $3.49 billion.

At North Charleston’s Northwoods Mall, marketing director Leslie Riley said the forecast is on the money with their prediction. Northwoods expects to make a lot of cash during the next three months.

“We’re very optimistic,” Riley said.

In early October, year-to-date sales were up 10% over the same period last year, Riley said.

That trend is expected to continue as new stores set up shop in Northwoods in coming weeks.

Hollister Co., a popular surf shop-inspired store that sells T-shirts and tattered jeans, is opening at Northwoods in November.

Wilson’s Leather and Hickory Farms are also setting up shop for the upcoming shopping season.

Sales at Northwoods are also being bolstered by a recent renovation, Riley said.

“Last year the mall was quite torn up. This year it looks much more appealing, and people are in the spending mood,” she said.

Small business owners and managers say they are uncertain what to expect for the fourth quarter but hope those forecast numbers are accurate in predicting a good few months.

At Citadel Mall’s Envy, an independent store that sells women’s fashions, manager Connie Swiney said business has been slow since the store opened in June, and she hopes things will pick up soon.

At All Books & Company, an independent bookstore in Summerville, owner Michelle List said she recently moved her business to a location more on the outskirts of downtown. She hopes this fourth quarter will at least match last year’s.

“This will be our first Christmas in our new location, and we honestly haven’t got a clue what it will be like,” List said.

With consumers struggling with rising gas prices and other economic pressures, List said this fourth quarter, including the holiday shopping season, could actually be even better than she hopes.

“Sometimes when the economy is not doing so well, businesses like ours do better,” she said. “Entertainment-wise, you get more for your money with a book. You can buy a book for $7 and read it for six or seven hours, but a movie is an hour and a half.”

Rachel Pleasant is a staff writer for the Business Journal. E-mail her at rpleasant@charlestonbusiness.com.

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