Economic downturn has some Central Jersey shopping centers trimming hours..Just the begining,

BRIDGEWATER — As many customers are trimming their budgets in this economic downturn, some shopping centers — including the Bridgewater Commons mall — are cutting hours.



Bridgewater Commons spokeswoman Amy Harris said many retailers on a national level have been asking the shopping center to shorten its hours, Harris said. Research into the Bridgewater Commons' customers' habits showed that it would be feasible to trim a half hour off its weeknight closing time, an hour off its Friday and Saturday closing times, and open an hour later on Sunday, she said.

"Customers are just not shopping in the hours we cut," Harris said. The mall's new hours of operation, which began April 1, are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sundays 12 to 7 p.m.

"So far, I haven't heard any complaints (from shoppers or retailers)," Harris said about the new schedule.

She said it is up to each retailer as to whether they would like to continue operating within the old hours, or the new hours. Some stores have special events, such as Williams-Sonoma's technique classes on weekend mornings before the mall opens.

"They are more than welcome to continue doing that," Harris said. However, many stores have indicated that they will follow the mall's new operating schedule to save money, she said. In February, Bloomingdale's, one of the Bridgewater Commons anchor stores, shaved its hours, Harris said. The upscale department store closes at 8 p.m. — an hour earlier than the mall — on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. On other days, the store is open the same hours as the mall.

A Bloomingdale's spokeswoman declined comment.

The Bridgewater Commons doors will continue to open at 6:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday for mall walkers and deliveries, Harris said. The mall doors will remain open to accommodate theater and restaurant hours at night, she said.

Ellen Davis, vice president of National Retail Federation, said retailers and mall developers are looking at many ways to cut costs in this economic downturn.
It certainly makes sense if people are shopping less that a retailer or mall would look at closing earlier or opening later in order to save money," Davis said. "Many of these changes are so minor that the average customer won't notice."



Trimming hours could mean savings on staff, utilities, security, parking enforcement and more, she said. "It's about finding that balance where you're able to save money without costing you business," Davis said. In other words, companies considering trimming their hours need to be careful that customers don't find the new operating times inconvenient and decide to shop elsewhere.

"It's a very difficult time to be in this business of retail," Davis said. In 2008, 533,000 people were laid off from retail jobs. So far this year, she said, more than 100,000 retail jobs have been lost nationwide.

Menlo Park Mall in Edison will not be changing its hours, a mall representative said. It is open 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

About a year ago, Woodbridge Center mall in Woodbridge returned to a 9:30 p.m. closing time. It had been closing at 10 p.m., "which was not cost effective for us," said Amy Bellisano, the mall's general manager.

Since then, Woodbridge Center's hours have remained 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

"Our hours are appropriate for our business. As long as our anchors (anchor stores) are maintaining their hours, there's no reason to revisit ours," Bellisano said