Poll finds ‘tax-free’ a shopping incentive

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 1, 2012

By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Those planning to take advantage of this weekend’s state sales tax holiday to get school supply shopping done can likely expect a large crowd of shoppers out at stores in the River Parishes.

According to results of last week’s L’Observateur online poll, more than 50 percent of those who voted said they were waiting until this weekend to start school supply shopping. An additional 14 percent said they have already started, but plan to finish this weekend.

The results could be due to the fact that residents in St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes will enjoy an additional tax break Saturday and Sunday as some local sales taxes will also be waived on purchases up to $2,500.

Although many have decided to take advantage of the holiday, our results also showed a considerable amount of voters, about 19 percent, have already completed supply shopping.

A complete breakdown is as follows:

• 52 percent of respondents said, “Yes, I will do all shopping in those two days.”

• 14 percent of respondents said, “I’ve done some, but will do the rest this weekend.”

• 19 percent of respondents said, “No, I’ve already done my shopping.”

• 14 percent of respondents said, “I have more to do, but I’m not going to wait for the weekend.”