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You asked: What percentage of a retailer’s annual sales occur during the holiday season?

FRANKLIN—Franklin businesses see significantly higher sales in November and December thanks to Christmas shoppers.

Kilby’s Flower Shop owner Vicky Baker said she does about 80 percent of her business starting Dec. 1 through Christmas.

“I do a lot of poinsettias,” Baker said. “We do a lot of business with our plants.”

Business also picks up around Valentine’s Day, and the store had a busy summer this year.

“I’ve been very fortunate,” said Baker, whose family has owned the store on Second Avenue since 1974. “Franklin has been very good to me.”

Designs By Sandra co-owner Sandra Brinkley said she does 60 to 75 percent of her business October through December through sales of silk flowers and gifts at her Main Street business.

“Because of Christmas, people do a lot more decorating and they buy gifts,” Brinkley said.

Another busy time comes around Mother’s Day.

Bucking the trend a little is Dail’s True Value Hardware on Armory Drive. Holiday shopping only accounts for about 10 percent of its business, said General Manager Steve Dail.

“Our sporting goods department does very well during the holiday season,” Dail said. “Tools are the second biggest sellers.”

Summer is the busiest time for the hardware business due to sales of lawnmowers and sporting goods.

Dail has been pleasantly surprised with sales this year.

“We’re ahead of the game for November, and I’m hopeful it will stay that way for December,” he said.

Frank Rickman, manager of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, said the store has had a wonderful November, noting that Saturdays are usually the busiest.

“Just about every day in November was like a typical Saturday,” Rickman said.

All of the profits from the ReStore help Habitat for Humanity, and all the items are donated.