Retail report card down

Hillary Whitmore said holiday sales in 2004 weren't anything to wag your tail about.

Whitmore, owner of Aristocats and Dogs, a pet supply shop in Skaneateles, characterized her seasonal sales as flat, with people buying more, but spending less per item than they did in 2003.

"I haven't totally done the research, but I have to be honest and give the season a D," she said.