CHRISTMAS IN HAWERA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 23 December 1925, Page 6

CHRISTMAS IN HAWERA.

TRADE SOUND AND PROMISING

The Christmas spirit is something that comes only once a year. It brings people in their crowds from all quarters into the business centres, and its inliuence is infectious and is intensified as it passes. A feature of the shopping at this time of the year is its freedom and openhandedness. The experience, of business people in the town is that it is a little slower to reach here than is usual, but now that it has set in there is the briskness and the sparkle which one likes to see abroad in business ol all classes. There seems to be little doubt that the difficulties associated with the dairying industry have, perhaps unconsciously, affected the whole of the community. But business firms,, while they would always like to see things better, whatever the position may be, agree that there has been good steady buying, and the market days lately have been some of the best they have experienced. The position has been steadily improving, and they are decidedly optimistic as to what the result will be when Christmas week is over. Last Saturday was, with most firms, an exceptionally good day, and there has been good steady business ever since. It is generally agreed, and this was the information given to a Star representative, that people as a _ rule are showing a disinclination to indulge in extravagant spending, and are content with less costly wares than at one time was the case.' This is actually a good thing, for extravagance is always to be deprecated. The volume of business done has been well sustained, and people are buying sensibly and steadily. It will be generally admitted that the range of goods shown in the very handsome and well arranged windows to be seen throughout the business area is very wide, and offers a choice which perhaps has never been excelled in the experience of people in the district. Utility and ornament are combined in a marked degree, while varietv of design and form is to be seen on all sides. And marching with this is a decided downward tendency and level of values for stocks of the best _ quality. In fancy goods, toys, mechanical and other styles, and in electroplated ware nrohablv competition from abroad has had its influence. This is noticeable all round in the business world, and it enables everyone to secure at a reasonable figure -stocks of excellent quality. Probably not for manv years has this been such a noteworthy feature of Christmas trade. Grocery establishments have done and are still doing good business _ in Christmas fruits and other essentials for cakes «,nd pudding®. In all other 'irf>s of stocks, too. business has been brisk, and an improvement has been no+’ced every dav.

The position, therefore, ie quite good and sound. The recognised shopping da vs of the week have heen very satisfactorv. and the turnovers have heen increasing each week.