EASTER TRADING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 69, 21 March 1940, Page 9

EASTER TRADING.

"UP TO NORMAL." TREND IN AUCKLAMD. LATE SIGHT ADVANCED. Eafcfer tracle in Auckland this year is in the majority of caees, as busy ai l.i«t year, according to city business men, who were consulted to-day. Their were borne'out by the hustle snd hustle to be observed in most shops. J'i ovi.sion merchants were particularly for to-day was the List opportunity for the buying o f supplies of some μ-nrnle until Tuesday. Shops will remain open to-night until nine o'clock insu-ad ot to-morrow, and the majority will then close until Tuesday mornimr Butcher*, however, will at 4ss to-day and will opon on Saturday momm-. Bread will bo delivered on Saturday, but not to-morrow or on Monday. Tor the mnet part greengrocers will be open on Saturday, and some also on Monday. Milkmen, will be on the job jus usual throughout Eaeter, but some dairies will close to-night until Tueed;iv.

The secretary of the Auckland Master Grocers' Association, Mr. R. M. Barker, states that all grocers who are members of the association will close from 9 p.m. to-day until Tuesday morning.

"It ia a little early yet to say just what we have done, but business has been much the same as usual for this time of the year," said the manager of a largo furnishing iinn this morning. Furniture, he added, continued to be in good demand.

"We were expecting a. slight drop because of the war, hut business has boon quite good," explained a tailoring firm. "There is a good run on suits, and military work for officers is keeping us busy." Novelties Well Sought. The manager of a chain, store said then* was the usual rush for Kaster novelties, and trading was good in all departments, particularly for wedding gifts and holiday requirements. 'Trade during tho past week lias been quite good," said the manager of a big departmental store. "In fact, business lias been quite satisfactory, although wo were fearful that the early Easter would not be helpful. There has been briskness in tho sale of fashion lines. Tho demand for men's suits has been a little quieter, but that for sports wear has been quite good." Jewellers have also been doing good business. "Our business has been too good, in fact," said the representative of one lirm, and when asked to qualify his remark he explained that he was disposing of lines which he would not be able to replace owing to the import restrictions. The demand for engagement and wedding rings was greater than ever, his clients including a number of men serving with the forces. Other branches of trade also seemed to bo busy, and barbers and workers in ■women's beauty parlours were amongst the busiest with men and women making last-minute adjustments to their coiffures.