CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Evening Star, Issue 17541, 22 December 1920, Page 6

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

MOST TRADES BRISK, NO SIGN OF SLUMP. The manner in which a person celebrates Christmas nowadays largely depends upon his ability to buy a liberal share of the good things associated with the festivity, this being determined by the important factor of the weight of his pocket. The experience of the majority of tradespeople so far seems to be that business is and promises during the next few days to Be auita as large in bulk as any previous Christmas, but that people are inclined’ to be a 'trifle more cautious, and (in the choice of presents at any rate) to prefer the cheaper, useful articles to higherpriced, ornamental goods. How far this Christmas shopping will indicate the slump that many have predicted for ■ the New Year it is difficult to judge. Most/tradespeople say there is no evidence of this, because people (although perhaps spending not quite as much as usual) are buying freely enough to show they do not anticipate an early fall. Again, it is said that last Christmas there was much loose money in the way of soldiers’ gratuities in circulation ; also that the reduction in the bonus may this year affect the takings of the shopkeepers. DRAPERY. Several drapers report quite a libom in their business, but the reports of others are not quite so optimistic. The manager of one of the very largest establishments states that, compared with last year, his business has so far shown an increase in volume and return. Friday night of last week was the best single night he had ever had, his receipts being largely in excess of any other one night. Whatever people thought was to happen in the future, they were out, in his opinion, to have a jolly good time. They might worry after Christmas, but certainly were not worrying to-day. There was every indication that business during the next few days would be brisker than ever. Another draper with a largo shop said the last three months were the best he had ever had in many years’ experience. In his opinion people were out to buy a better class oi everything, despite slightly advanced prices. On the other hand, a third draper was not so satisfied. He’did not think he had been quite as busy as last year, and said that as people were not so ready to buy the higher-priced goods, he did not anticipate as large a return. TOYS. The toys which Santa Claus will bring this year will gladden the hearts of the young, but the prices may not altogether be. pleasing to parents. This year’s toys aro mostly of British make, and of excellent quality. Good sales are reported from all shops, even parents who think that “ times are hard ” being willing to gratify the wishes of the little ones. Electric trains, meccano, fur toys, and dolls are attracting a good many buyers. French dolls and toys of American make are also to be seen in some shops. On the whole the quality is much superior to that of previous years. One large trader frankly stated that he would like to see German toys once again, as they could be bought at figures within the reach of all. FANCY GOODS. In the realm of fancy goods business is brisk as can be, and all day long persons are debating with themselves as to the choice of a present from the hundred and one attractive articles, some ornamental and others useful. Nowadays the popular taste seems to be drifting towards the useful instead of the merely ornamental article, such things as gloves and handkerchiefs finding a large share of favor. Tho head of a fancy goods department of one large shop says that while this year the volume or business is quite as large as the previous year, people are buying the cheaper, useful article rather than the other kind. Sets of playing cards, writing cases, calendars, and diaries are all fairly popular. BOOKS.

A good book makes a splendid and lasting form of Christmas present, especially fo • young people. A bookseller with extcusive_ trade reports a phenomenal sale of fictional works, those with the most attractive titles being almost sold out already. The sale of standard works and the general book business promises, with anticipated purchases of the next few days, to be much in excess of last year. Booklets and leather books have also had. a good demand. The reversion to book prizes in schools has been of benefit to the bookseller, whose stocks of picture books, reward books, and animals have had large demands made upon them. AU round there has been an increase in prices, fiction having advanced about 10 per cent, on last year. JEWELLERY. A well-known jeweller said ho was perfectly satisfied with business so far and with his prospects for the next few days. While he was getting more than the usual volume of trade, people were not purchasing the most expensive articles. At the same time, many persons did not let a few shillings or even a pound stand in the way of obtaining a particularly suitable article for a friend. Engagement rings are always in demand, whatever the price, and wristlet watches are also getting a good sale. POULTRY. One hundred and twenty turkeys will be handed over by one firm on Christmas Eve for Christmas dinners. “ Poultry is more plentiful in general this year than in any previous year,” said the manager of this firm, “and our orders have come in very early. It is the best year wo have experienced for geese and the worst for ducks. As regards young roasting chickens, Christmas time is too early for them. Prices for poultry are higher, but people seem to be quite willing to pay them for their Christmas dinner. , All round our Christmas trade is quite as good as, if not slightly better than, anv other year.” CHRISTCHURCH TRADE. VOLUME BIG AS EVER. [Special to the ‘Stap..’]

CHRISTCHURCH, December 21, Last year, it is.agreed, was a record year, but this year keeps well up to it, and might exceed it so far as the volume of Christmas trade is concerned. This seems to about sum. up the opinions of Christchurch retail traders as expressed to a * Star ’ reporter. “ In my opinion special Christmas goods are exceedingly well represented in the city,” said the head of a large retail drapery establishment, “ and, notwithstanding the high prices that obtain for many goods, the safes of such goods are quite as good as they have been hitherto,” The head of another similar establishment insisted that trade all round was extremely good in all departments, and he deprecated any crying of “stinking fish,” remarking that while there was a downward tendency in some lines at. present, owing to the financial tightness which compelled some manufacturers to realise, there were unmistakable signs that for January and subsequent buying the prices would be firmer than ever, “Bigger and brisker than ever” js how a retail grocer described his Christmas trade. “There doesn’t seem to be any shortage of cash,” he continued. “ People are spending very freely. Neither is there a shortage of Christmas stocks.” A jeweller remarked rather sadly that the Christmas trade was nothing like last year’s, and this was duo to the fact that a year ago the returned soldiers were spending very freely from very long purses. “ No complaints,” said the head of a large firm of booksellers. “ Wo are doing an especially good trade in books, particularly children’s books. Every year I think we nave had a record year, and each succeeding year proves better. I have been here nine years, and it has been like that all the time.” The head of a furnishing establishment remarked 1 that he was astonished that the present season waa so satisfactory. City

tightness anything like country people, i Apparently.:the Germans are anxious toll lose a bad reputation now that they are! making an effort to resume commercial re«l lotions with the outside world. A Christ* * church firm has just received a credit hoW for 2s 2d from the Sydney agents of the*. larl ‘ :^ ll stralian Steamship Company, j Wd., Which represents a balance in its favor in respect to an average adjustment made over the voyage of the 5.3. Magda-; ■burg m 1913. The statement showing the Cl '® d . lfc J ras drawn up by the head office ox the firm in Germany in November, 1914 7** iP 1 ? when the wily Hun was visualise ing Pans and a triumphant peace; but if is not until six years afterwards that pay ment has possibly seemed worth while. PROSPEROUS YEAR PREDICTED. [Seeciae to the ‘Sxae.’] CHRISTCHURCH, December 21. 'j Discussing the splendid Christmas trade* experienced, the Christchurch head' of a big retail drapery establishment re-! marked: ‘ I attribute the free buying tow the prosperity of the country. I think thoi so-called set-back in prices has arisen! purely from temporary causes, and I see! nothing at the present moment, provided ! people keep their minds level, to prevent' as good and prosperoni a year for Newfj Zealand in 1921 as we had during 1920. j Equalising the turnover of the large nnm-i her of departments I control, I find that) the turnover during this financial year in: considerably in excess of what it was last! year.”