Will weekend warmup help small businesses rebound from snow and cold?

What a difference a week makes. Small businesses in the region are looking to this weekend’s predicted balmy temperatures to recover after recent snow and cold caused some shoppers to think twice about heading out on foot to find holiday gifts. 

Jane Lipton of the Manayunk Development Corporation says cold and snow have combined into a one-two punch for businesses competing with the convenience of shopping on line from the comfort of home.  She says merchants in her Philadelphia neighborhood are fighting back with an on-line war of their own.

“I can tell you my merchants are reaching out to their customers, they are sending e-mails out, they are posting on facebook,” Lipton said. “They are saying we’re here we’re open I’ve seen posts that say Main Street looks beautiful with a dusting of snow.” 

Dan Bates, president of the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce says this weather is making some business in small town shopping districts rethink their marketing strategies.

“They are trying to do both, they are trying to get people into the stores and encouraging them to shop on-line,” Bates said. “I think it’s going to change the way retail operates, it’s already done that but I think it’s going to impact it in the future even more.”

Bates say many business districts have promotional events planned this weekend for one last push