TRADE IMPROVES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 64, 24 December 1936, Page 6

TRADE IMPROVES

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON. A BUSY TIME IN ASHBURTON. FACTORS AFFECTING BUSINESS. Trade has improved noticeably this Christmas, according to the opinions* of Ashburton retailers. They have noticed a greatly increased volume of business, and an extremely busy late shopping night is being expected this evening as a culmination of a most active week as far as business is concerned. Adverse weather has in some respects had an adverse affect on trade. For instance, a grocer said it had decreased sales of jellies and cordials, although in other goods trade was showing a perceptible increase. Another factor adversely affecting trade is the restriction placed on children because of the infantile paralysis epidemic. All shops have cancelled the annual visit of Father Christmas to their premises for this reason. The sale of toys has been affected considerably. One bookseller and stationer said that although many parents had inspected his toys very few would buy. It was apparent that children were not spending their pocket money, The drapery trade is the best- experienced since 1929, in the opinion of a manager of one firm. A tobacconist, who found trade well above tho average this Christmas, remarked that the demand for fancy cigarettes and cigars was much increased. Another expressed tho opinion that people were buying more expensive goods, and his sales had shown a marked improvement in this direction.