Christmas Buying Peak Not Yet Reached

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28767, 12 December 1958, Page 17

Christmas Buying Peak Not Yet Reached

IBy Out Grocery Correspondent J

Although grocery wholesalers in Christchurch have been busy over the last two weeks, reports from retailers indicate that the Christmas trade has not yet reached its peak.’.lt appears that buying will start later than in recent years, and that the bulk of the public demand has yet to be felt. It is hoped a final burst of buying will maintain the high turnovers of Decembers of recent years. Most lines of goods are still available, with notable exceptions being seen in canned apricots and pineapples, and. various sizes and grades of salihon. In other cases, New Zealand manufacturers have responded well, and have produced a wide range of Christmas lines. Delays in receiving goods from Lyttelton are still, Apparent, «nd it is hoped that 'these will not- effect any goods which are required for the Christmas trade. Large quantities of sugar are due shortly, and these will be required soon after Christmas for use in jam-making. Sliced Beetroot.—«Thfß year sliced beetroot canned by an Auckland packer has proved extremely popular. However, as the demand has been greater than originally expected, the makers have found it difficult to keep- adequate supplies. According to recent reports, stocks* are now exhausted and new supplies will not be ready for the market until later in the New Year. Australian Dried Fruits.—For the last week or so, some vine fruits have been short on this market.

particularly sultanas. Merchants have been anxious to receive stocks, as Christmas is the major selling period. Stocks of sultanas, currants and raisins are now arriving, and will help to fill immediate demands.

Dates.—Dates are another problem, as there is a severe shortage of the bulk varieties throughout the country, and shipments are awaited. At this stage, it is doubtful if they will arrive before Christmas. To help alleviate this shortage, consumers Will have to use packet dates, of which there are reasonable ftocks. Queensland Pineapple.—-The latest advice from Queensland points ou» that qanners have reduced their prices for slices, pieces, cuts and crushed.- This is a further reduction in price, and is a step to meet competitors from Malaya and South Africa, who in recent times have been making large inroads on the New Zealand market. Importers of course will be buying on the finest market for 1959 so as to make their licences go further.

Tinned Green Peas.—For the last six weeks, green pea sales have been at their highest level, and odd sizes in some brands are difficult to procure. In the majority of cases, good stocks are held in all sections of the trade. A Hastings canner advised earlier that he has new season’s stocks ready for shipment,, and these should be here before Christmas. Previous to this, the canner had been out of the 220 z cans for some time.

Fly Bombs.—The hot weather has helped to encourage the fly season, with the result that fly bombs have started to sell briskly. It appears that bombs are still popular. An amazing number of brands and sizes are still available, but many grocers are now narrowing down the range to the most popular brands.