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Atlanta shops either owned by or geared toward Hispanics have been hit hardest during the recession, with those aimed at Asians hurt the least, analysts say.
Although the recession hit everyone, Latinos are at the lowest end of the wage-earning spectrum, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said Sunday.
At the Hispanic community's main shopping center, Plaza Fiesta, sales dropped 40 to 60 percent last holiday season, the paper reported.
"I'm expecting better sales than last year," Julio Penaranda, general manager of Plaza Fiesta said. "People have come to a new reality. They'll spend — not like they did two, three years ago — but hopefully much more than last year."
Indian-American Asna Baig runs an online store selling clothing, jewelry and shoes. "Indian clothes are going to sell because of weddings," he said. "And Indian people might wear a sari once and never again."
Turkish grocery store owner Tahir Sariev plans to offer products for Russian, Croat, Armenian, Turkish, Greek and American shoppers, the Journal-Constitution reported.
"Everybody celebrates the holidays, so business should be good," Sariev said. "People may not buy new clothes. But they have to eat."
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