Local retailers reported strong sales and a busy weekend during the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday.

 

At Andalusia’s JCPenney, new store manager Tameka Belcher said Friday and Saturday were busy days for the store.

 

“We were really busy,” she said. “Friday was the better day. There were times when we were swamped and then had a cool-down period.”

 

Belcher said Sunday was slower than management expected, but the sales were still about even with projections.

 

Additionally, Belcher said the weekend was an “all-hands-on-deck” kind of weekend.

 

“Everyone either opened or closed,” she said. “It’s the closest thing to Black Friday we have all year long.”

 

Down the road at Goody’s store, assistant manger Kayla Ison reported a “really good weekend.”

 

“We had well over 200 people who came in on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” she said.

 

Across town at Cato’s, store manager Nicole Julian said the weekend sales were “very good.”

 

“Friday was busier than Saturday,” she said.

 

Mike Ward of Ward and Co., said his business picked up on Monday.

 

“We were a little lighter during the first two days,” he said. “(Monday) has been our best day.”

 

The holiday, which ran from 12:01 a.m., on Fri., Aug. 1, through midnight on Sun., Aug. 3, waived sales taxes on certain school supplies, computers, and clothing free of state sales or use tax.