Lory Smith and her son Tyler Smith, 8, of West Point, shop at Burke’s Outlet in Leigh Mall in Columbus for a backpack. Tyler will be going into the third grade.
Area retailers are getting ready for Mississippi's second annual tax-free shopping weekend.
From 12:01 a.m. Friday to midnight Saturday, sales tax will not be collected on purchases of clothing or footwear items, excluding certain items, priced under $100.
Shoppers at JC Penney in Leigh Mall will find the store open extended hours, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
"We expect to have a super-duper weekend," Manager Mike Law said of the tax holiday, noting the store will be staffed with extra workers. "It was very successful last year and we anticipate the same this year."
Belk, on Highway 45 North in Columbus, also will be open extended hours, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
"All of our people will be working this weekend and management will be here," said Manager Perky Richard. "We've got extra coverage and we expect huge crowds this weekend. It was extremely successful last year. We're pumped up for it."
"We are picking up all the tax on everything," Reed's of Columbus owner Lex Jackson said, explaining customers also won't have to pay sales tax on items normally excluded in the tax holiday.
The sales tax holiday, which is statewide, does not apply to sales of items not designated as clothing and footwear. Accessories -- such as jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, backpacks and briefcases -- are not included as tax-free purchases.
Last year's tax-free shopping holiday was "excellent" for Reed's, Jackson noted.
"We hope to do better," he said of this weekend's holiday. "That's one discount people really like to get. And this year, whatever anybody buys, Reed's is going to pay the taxes."
Cato's, located in Leigh Mall, is having a clearance sale, said Assistant Manager Robbie Follins.
And "back-to-school specials" will be offered at Burke's Outlet, said Manager Evelyn Horne.
"(Last year's tax holiday was) pretty good, actually," she said. "Hopefully, this year will be the same."
"This weekend, we're starting a half-price sale," said Homer Beatty, owner of Fashion Barn in downtown Columbus. "We'll give half off all summer clearance (items), plus they'll be tax-free. So, (customers will) get 57 percent off."
Additionally, about 3,000 coupons, entitling the bearer to a free dessert from Cafe on Main, were e-mailed to Fashion Barn customers.
"We're playing it up," Beatty said of the tax holiday. "I wish they would do more here, as far as (making) school supplies (tax-free). If these stores would do it here, it would keep the money in Columbus.
"We're blessed," he added. "We had a great year last year, so we're going to play it up and work hard, hard, hard. We're trying to make it exciting for downtown."
Located on Fifth Street, Fashion Barn will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
I cannot believe backpacks and other "school" related items are excluded. In Alabama, they get computers, and other school items tax free and all Mississippi is willing to do is clothes and footwear?
The real winners are not the tax payers but the stores. No sales tax means you get a 7% discount. Hardly anyone would rush to the stores if the malls had a 10% discount. But offer a modest 7% discount (MS sales tax is 7%), and the malls look like the weekend before Christmas. Most stores will have better deals next weekend than this weekend. No sales tax is nothing more than a gimmick. If Mississippi really wanted to benefit the taxpayer, adopt a sales tax law like New Jersey. No sales tax ever on "essential" items. Two examples of essential items are food and clothing. Shoppers, go get that big 7% discount.
Mark as inappropriate
