The state's first sales tax holiday for
severe weather supplies last weekend is seen as a good trial run.

The Birmingham News reported Alabama
retailers had mixed results for the holiday. The event's permanent date will fall in February
from now on.

The holiday was approved near the end of the
legislative session with a date falling a few days after July 4.

The sales tax holiday was originally planned to coincide with
the anniversary of the deadly April 2011 tornadoes, but the
legislature did not pass it in time.

Alabama Retail Association spokeswoman Nancy Dennis says despite
publicity about the event, many customers were surprised to stumble
upon the tax holiday in participating communities.