Christian retailers still were poring over their numbers Monday morning, trying to figure if the holiday shopping season had been a boon or bust. The National Retail Federation projected that holiday retail sales would rise 4.5% over last year to $219.9 billion.

Margaret Umble, owner of J.O.Y. Bookstore in Sinking Spring, Pa., did not have a final report on Monday but her "gut feeling" is that her store sales increased 1% to 2% over the previous year.

"We will come out either flat or a little bit up," she said. "We did not lose ground this year. Praise the Lord."

The last couple of holiday seasons, the store had experienced a decline in holiday sales-down 5% for 2002 and 2003. Umble said that the 2004 holiday season was different from the past, primarily because of the presidential election.

"November was really weird," she said. "After the election, there was a different atmosphere quite frankly. "It was as if our customers relaxed and said 'OK. Things are going to be OK.'"

The Thanksgiving weekend turned out to be "awesome" at the bookstore, with customers buying more high-end items than in past years, she added.

While Umble is anticipating a small profit at the Pennsylvania store, another retailer reported a disappointing shopping season and will likely close soon.

Larry Sweeney, owner of Nampa Christian Book and Supply in Nampa, Idaho, figured the store had more than a 10% decline, which is in line with what has been happening the last four years.

He attributes the decline at the store, which has been open in Nampa for 30 years, to competition from big-box stores. In the last few years, he has been losing money and customers to Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, he said.

"I don't have fault with anyone who wants to save a dollar," said Sweeney, who has the store up for sale.

The full picture for the holiday shopping season won't be known until later in the week, when the nation's retailers are scheduled to report their December sales figures.

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