VENTURA COUNTY ROUNDUP : Oxnard : Campaign Planned to Assist Merchants

A campaign aimed at giving Oxnard businesses a boost will be launched just in time for the holiday season, when retailers ring up about 40% of their annual sales.

Beginning Oct. 2, the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce will launch “Shop Oxnard,” a three-month campaign complete with special events and incentives for shoppers frequenting The Esplanade shopping center, Oxnard Factory Outlets and other shopping districts throughout the city.

“We have a challenge because we’re spread out,” said Don Facciano, executive director of the chamber.

By increasing sales at the nine participating retail locations, the program would bring the city more in sales taxes, which make up about one-quarter of the city’s revenues.

Major beneficiaries of these funds are emergency service agencies in the city.

The campaign comes just as The Esplanade braces to lose two anchor stores--Sears and Robinsons-May--to neighboring Ventura in November. If successful, the campaign will help soften the loss in revenues these two major stores have generated for the city.

“I envision this as a start and going on from there,” said Facciano, who said he would like the program to expand one day to “Eat in Oxnard” and “Stay in Oxnard.”