HAS INFLATION PUSHED PEOPLE TO SHOP ON CYBER MONDAY? OR WOULD YOU RATHER IN PERSON SHOPPING?

---

---

CYBER MONDAY IS THE ENDING TO THE WEEKEND SHOPPING FRENZY THAT STARTED WITH BLACK FRIDAY. TWIN STATES NEWS DANNY TODD SPEAKS WITH LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS ABOUT HOW SALES HAVE BEEN GOING.

With inflation on the rise comes the question of how it's affecting holiday shopping. We speak with the Family Flea Market at 1107 B Street and Meridian to see their thoughts on Cyber Monday online sales versus in-person sales and what they deem most important for their time and effort.

MATT ELLSWORTH president and co-owner of the Family Flea Market says "Family flea market is a large indoor flea market in the Greater Meridian area, will feature over 200 local and statewide vendors to help sell their goods outside of the retail world and outside of the online world."

Matt Ellsworth explains that inflation has impacted everyone and the businesses at the flea market are no different. He thinks it's important to shop locally because you can directly impact the local business owner's success.

MATT ELLSWORTH says "As far as online sales, the bulk of our vendors do internal selling we sell here at the market. Some of them do online selling. This time of year, they have an uptick in selling, especially through Cyber Monday and right before Christmas. People want special orders, and things like that done."

A common thought process in dealing with flea markets is that it's donated goods, but that's not always the case. Vendors here go out and buy these items and they have gas and other expenses tied up in bringing those products to the customers. One shopper here likes the advantages of in-person shopping.

JENNIFER GENTRY a local shopper says "If you shop local, you could see it in person. You know what you're buying. You can try it on not only that you support your community by staying local. All the income stays with the community. I myself just rather shop locally."

If you'd like to give us your thoughts on supporting local businesses comment on the post, and if you'd like more information on the family flea market you can visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FamilyFleaMarket

Danny Todd, Twin States News Meridian.