Valley Businesses See Holiday Boom After Slow Summer

Businesses across the Coachella Valley are celebrating a holiday shopping surge after enduring a slow summer season marked by high heat and reduced foot traffic. The Thanksgiving weekend and Black Friday brought record-breaking sales for many, with merchants in Palm Springs and beyond reporting their busiest trading days to date. "It was the busiest half-day Thanksgiving we've ever had," shared one Palm Springs business owner. Others echoed similar sentiments, noting how the desert heat earlier in the year had extended a sluggish summer season that impacted foot traffic and sales. Rancho Mirage businesses also experienced a major turnaround. Some merchants at The Gardens on El Paseo reported their best-ever Black Friday, citing increased shopper turnout and community support for local stores. The optimism comes as cities across the valley ramp up shopper incentives. Palm Springs has reintroduced its popular "Love Local" card program, offering an extra 50% value on purchases, while Rancho Mirage is offering a similar 50% bonus. With high hopes for the winter months ahead, businesses are ready to welcome shoppers for a shorter but busy holiday season. For more details on holiday shopping incentives, visit the NBC Palm Springs newsroom tab.