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MISSOULA - The holiday shopping season upon us and some store owners say they're seeing an increase in sales and they expect this increase to continue.

"Based on October sales, which are up 30% over last year, we are expecting a 30% rise this year in our Christmas business," said Tim McGill who owns and manages Oil and Vinegar in the Southgate Mall.

"We've been doing pretty steady, especially where the two stores now combined-Magic and Hallmark. With the opening between the two stores people like going between them, it's like your one stop shopping," added Higgins Hallmark and Magic Manager Susan Shirley. "You've got your gifty items on Magic side and then on the Hallmark side you have cards, gift cards, gift wrap, that sort of thing."

The stores we checked in on at the mall report that they'll have deals for their customers on Black Friday and some will also have deals going on during the holiday shopping season.

"Friday starts our weekly free bottle Friday, where you purchase any olive oil or vinegars that are on tap and we will supply you with the bottle. Also Black Friday we're going to have a special on on-tap oils and vinegars. We'll give you 20% off," McGill said.

"Coming up for Black Friday we do our annual sale and everything in the store is 20% off just for the one day," says Jillian Fetz, The Learning Tree owner.

"We're going to be running a set of four Christmas mugs for $12.99, they're normally $35. We'll have a 4-piece pizza set for $21.99 and door mats for $6.99," said Shirley.

These same stores will also have some new inventory for the holidays.

"We have some wonderful gift baskets that are pre-made. We also have all new ceramics, new dipping souses. Quite a few new olive oils, including one that was pressed only two weeks ago in California," McGill told us.

"We have Frosty the Snowman, where he sings and he dances. Three recordable books we have this year for Christmas are: The Night Before Christmas, Frosty the Snowman and The Very First Christmas," Shirley said.

"Huge selection of new books, both Christmas books and other books. We've got toys for kids of all ages. Plasma cars we just brought back this year and we're really excited to have those back, those have always been a really popular thing. We have a great selection of plush, great selection of science kits, arts and craft supplies, things for brand new babies," Fetz said.

The Learning Tree owner says children can also make a wish list of what they want in their store and they'll keep those lists on file for friends and relatives as they go Christmas shopping.