USC students boost Columbia sales; football season to follow [Video]

Store employees said they’ve seen a significant sales increase since students returned.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Some local businesses say they are booming in Richland County as the University of South Carolina welcomes students back to campus.

The Vista, downtown Columbia and Five Points are among the most popular places for people to hang out and shop. Store employees there said they’ve seen a significant sales increase since students returned.

“We are still expecting more, especially when football season starts, definitely a bunch more foot traffic as well,” Urban Outfitters employee Jacob Wilson said.

“We are always trying to find really cute items that we can piece together for everyone to bring them here, and we saw a lot of people come, especially for move-in weekend and new girls looking to join sororities.”

Wilson said the company wants to hire more workers to accommodate more foot traffic.

“So, we did hire a few more people. I do know we have …