Business remains brisk

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33110, 28 December 1972, Page 1

Business remains brisk

Cool temperatures in Christchurch yesterday seemed to turn the crowds of holidaymakers away from the beaches and into the city, where most retailers found that business was brisk, though quieter than the pre-Christmas rush.

The customary suit and tie of former weeks has been temporarily replaced with more casual holiday wear—sandals, shorts, open-necked shirts and beach dresses were more apparent than anything else. By the early afternoon, there was a steady stream of cars and pedestrians in the centre of the city, and some shops seemed to be doing almost as good a trade as a week or so before Christmas. Families on holiday were predominant among the shop-

pers, many of them windowshopping or browsing among merchandise, comparing it with the wares available at home.

For many, it was back to work after a long week-end, but even the shop assistants seemed to have caught the holiday spirit and were dressed more casually, though just as neatly. It had been four days since the shops were open, and many shoppers were replenishing supplies, while some were stocking up for the holidays to come. . Shops selling camping equipment were popular, and pattern and material counters and places selling do-it-yourself kits received a steady trade from holidaymakers with time to spare.

By closing time yesterday, most of the bigger department stores had changed their window’ displays from Christmas decorations to something more suitable for

the New Year, and “holiday fun time” was a popular theme.

Many persons made use of the shops to exchange presents, although many shopkeepers complained that too few of them had brought dockets with them, thus making the exchange impossible. Shops that had sold gift tokens before -Christmas had a big influx of people searching for books or small items to their taste. SOUVENIRS IN DEMAND

Souvenir shops were busy with customers from other parts of New Zealand, although some English, Australian and American tourists also patronised them during the day. In spite of the lack of sandwiches and buns because of the bakeries dispute, cafeterias had many customers.

Banks reported a steady trade throughout the day, many of them receiving withdrawal demands from

account holders from other centres.