CHRISTMAS TRADE IS BUOYANT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14859, 22 December 1948, Page 3

CHRISTMAS TRADE IS BUOYANT

SHOPPERS MORE SELECTIVE

Effect Of Competition Felt Inferior Article Finds Poor Market Christmas this year—from the shopkeepers’ angle—looks like being another bumper one. Inquiries show that trade is buoyant, shoppers keen, if somewhat more selective, and that the goods are available. Business men in general are well satisfied with early trading figures. There has been a certain hardening up after the boom times of the last two Christmases, but not to the extent that had been anticipated. The main feature remarked upon is that the public have become more selective, or ‘choosy,” as it was generally expressed. The inferior article that was on the market last year was bought almost regardless of quality, but this Christmas the effect of competition is being definitely felt.

In the opinion of the manager of one of Tauranga’s stores this is a very good thing, as it will provide the spur that some lax maufacturers badly need. The clothing trade reports excellent business, and one shop said turnover would be a record. A hardware firm thought last year’s figures would be bettered, a bookseller was more than pleased with trade, but a furniture retailer reported a definite hardening up. In furniture it seems, the higherpriced lines are more difficult to sell, while shoppers are very much more particular, comparing prices and aualitv to a much greater degree than last year. At the same time, smaller articles were selling biskly.