GST fears prompt buying spree

Press, 27 September 1986, Page 1

GST fears prompt buying spree

Christchurch shoppers marked last evening, the final Friday before GST, with a frenzy of buying normally reserved for Christmas Eve. ■ “There is only one word for it — terrific,” said a spokesman at Fanners Trading Company. “My staff say it’s the sort of buying you usually get only before Christmas. It’s unbelievable what they have sold already, and we still have Saturday morning to go," he said. The most sought-after items at Farmers were furniture and bed linen, but most expensive lines except appliances sold well. Smith’s City Market reported unprecedented sales levels, especially in the furniture, appliance,, and “do-it-yourself’ lines. Business had been building up steadily In the last few weeks, “anywhere there are major ticket lines,” said the general manager, Mr Colin Smith. Business was so brisk there was a danger of some stock shortages next week, he said. The general manager of A. J. White, Mr David Mannix, said the last few Friday evenings had been busy as people bought furnishings before they increased in price. Shoppers had been particularly Interested In carpet, but sales of soft furnishings and other furnishings had been busy. Shoppers are also buying sports equipment The managing director of John McEwing, Ltd, Mr Rod Webb, said his firm had run out of some lines. People had been stocking up on sports-gear for the last three months, he said. Liquor outlets were also popular with shoppers stocking up. . A spokesman for the Imperial Bottle Store said the day had been “hectic.” At 9 p.m. yesterday staff were out in the carpark directing traffic with torches to avoid congestion. People were buying liquor by the trolley load, including one customer who had spent $BOO, the spokesman said. The day had been twice as busy as a normal Friday, he said. He predicted a frantic day today. Extra work, page 9