Late Easter Affects Demand For Groceries

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29802, 19 April 1962, Page 17

Late Easter Affects Demand For Groceries

(By our Grocery Correspondent)

Easter thia year is almost as late as It can be, and this affects the grocery trade in several ways. Only the hardiest of campers will consider a camping holiday in the South Island in late April, so demand for campers’ requirements will be less than last year, when Easter fell three weeks earlier. The weather last week-end was such as to arouse the winter sports enthusiast to plan an Easter outing and there has been some call on grocers this week for provisions needed for such expeditions. Family visits have been planned by many for Easter this year by those who are able to combine the Easter and Anzac Day breaks, and there is every indication that a high proportion of the public will be on the move this Easter. Party foods and novel* ties should meet a good demand. Medicated Shampoe.—Another brand of hair shampoo it now

being added to the iarge selection already on the market. It fa a medicated variety, and is manufactured by Knights (NX). Ltd., and will be available in bubbiee and bottles at Is 3d sad 3s 9d ra*ectively under the name of "Clinic.'' Dried Apricota.—New season's Austrsiisn dried apricots are now arriving in Christchurch. These are the first fruits available from Aurtraiia oC this year's harvest. Cartier it waa advised that some grades would be unavailable, but the landings include the better graiMa. Canadlsa Batt.—Over the lest year or so Canadian salt has been landed into New Zealand, and has met with a particularly good sale. One large salt company in Canada has produced a new design of a polythene Sib bag. *nils has a patent shape which wiM allow the bag to sit up straight The price and the packing Canned Tomato Juiee.— Earlier thia year canned tomato juice was scarce and several brands and sizes were unprocurable. Distributors have been waiting reports from canners regarding supplies for the coming 12 months. It now appears that most canners have packed a full quota. Stocks should be ample for the ensuing period. Canned Mushroom.—There has been a growing popularity for canned mushrooms, and the J. Wattle Canneries, the only local suppliers, have been unable to cope with the demand. Several other brands are becoming available and should help to fill the market Canned Apricots. Because Imported apricots ate not available, the demand on local packs has been exceptional. The St. George Company of Dunedin, one of the largest packers of canned apricots, have now found it necessary to institute a quota system. This will also be applied by the packers of Crest brand.