This weekend's rain and cloudy skies didn't deter shoppers looking to save a little money on back-to-school clothes.

Local retailers reported that tax-free sales were good, and in some cases great -- a possible sign of how holiday sales will be.

"Our sales have been phenomenal. We're very pleased," said Don Pittman, manager of the J.C. Penney's store in the Mall of Abilene. "We ranked second in our district Saturday, so we're thrilled."

Pittman said the store experienced a "significant increase" over its projected sales plan with a "tremendous amount of large sales" and has seen an increase in sales compared with 2007.

"Tax-free (business) is steady all day long. It's mostly families outfitting all their kids. They come and stay for a while and whittle a chunk of back-to-school shopping at one time," he said Sunday.

The annual sales tax holiday, which offers shoppers a break on state and local sales tax, started Friday and ended Sunday. Texas pioneered the incentive in 1999 to coincide with the beginning of the school year to help parents purchase school supplies and clothes for their children.

Farm & Ranch Western Wear owner Welton Robinson say this year's turnout was much better than last year's.

"I would say we did about 25 percent more business this weekend than last year," he said.

He also said that Saturday was their biggest day and that with gas prices so high, the savings on $100 in sales buys customers a few gallons of gas.

Sales were OK at the Target in Abilene on Sunday and great Friday and Saturday, said store manager Tina Miller.

"The rain kept people away," she said. "You would think people wouldn't have anything better to do when it's pouring."

Kohl's manager, Manny Hoffman, said it was an "awesome weekend." The store ran several "Power Sales" -- Night Owl Savings from 3 to 11 p.m. Friday and Early Bird Savings from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The store had a great response, Hoffman said, and this weekend is usually an indicator of how holiday sales will be, so they are pleased.

"We see these special events as opportunities to treat our customers well and win their loyalty for future sales," he said.

Kohl's Abilene store was not open at this time last year, so Hoffman has no comparison, but he said it's one of the best weekends they've had since opening.

Even stores that don't sell items that qualify for the tax-free holiday worked to attract customers.

Ashley Furniture, for example, offered the equivalent of a sales tax holiday by holding a sale for 8.25 percent off furnishings.

"We definitely had a good weekend, and customers seemed to come in anticipating discounts and ready to buy," said store manager Lorie Brubaker.

She could not disclose how Ashley's did last year in comparison but said it was a great weekend for sales.

Shoppers seemed to work up an appetite, with restaurants reporting increased business this weekend.

Chili's manager Will Burns said the restaurant definitely saw an increase in business, specifically on Saturday. Shoppers were in and out on a steady basis all day long.

Red Robin manager Jennifer Schmidt said the weekend was great for food service sales.

"Our location at the Shops of Abilene was perfect for shoppers. We were extremely busy all weekend long, more than normal. But Saturday was our biggest day."