Local retailers are gearing up for this weekend’s sales tax free event.
Beginning Friday, the state of Mississippi offers sales tax exemptions on clothing and footwear. In order to receive the tax break, the total purchase cannot exceed $100. Cleats are not included in the tax exemption.
Belk Department store in Columbus prepares for the busy shopping weekend by bringing inventory out of the storeroom and having additional employees on the sales floor. Belk Assistant store manager Becca Huff said the store is expecting a large turnout.
“We definitely have a plan set and ready for the influx of business it creates,” Huff said Wednesday. “We’re already set for back to school and we do bring things out of the stock room. All of those specials are front and forward so they’ll be easily located by a customer.”
Huff said the tax-free weekend is so big that it was recently mentioned in the store’s corporate conference call.
Rebecca Tabb, owner of R. Tabb and Company in Starkville is also expecting a busy weekend.
“The two tax days are always very busy because it’s a great time to get back to school clothes on sale plus tax free,” Tabb said. “I even do my whole store tax free to make it more exciting.”
Tabb said in addition to the tax-free perks, she is offering a store-wide sale.
“I always have lots of inventory because I have summer on sale and my fall transition has started coming in. It’s a great weekend to shop because not only are you getting summer sales but you are getting first dibs on fall transition.”
The tax-free period lasts until midnight Sunday.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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