CHRISTMAS TRADE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1188, 10 December 1924, Page 5

CHRISTMAS TRADE

BUSY SEASON ANTICIPATED. OPINIONS OF LOCAL BUSINESS MEN. That ip many respects the prosont Christmas season will prove the best for u number of years past—at any rato since the slump period—is the consensus of opinion of a number of locul business men who were approached on the matter by a “Standard” reporter. In all directions there is evidence that already—and the busiest trading days have not yet been entered upon—the public are spending more freely than last year. There is also to ho borne in mind the fact that since last Christmas the recovery of overseas industries from war time and slump conditions has been most marked, while the Dominion itself hus had a prosperous year of which Palmerston North retailers state they expect to reap some benefit. The hotel bookings serve at least to give an indication of the influx of people into the town, and visits paid to several of the leading local hostelries, elicited the fact that their accommodation is already overtaxed. “We liavo been turning prospective bookings away” was tlio reply received in several instances, while all agreed that this holiday period was going to eclipse that of last year very considerably, The proprietor of a hook and fancy goods shop said that, although he personally hail found, business so far a little slower than usual at this time of the year, he was confident that it would brighten up in the next few days. “There has been a wonderful increase in the sale of New Zealand pictorials and annuals suitable for sending overseas,” lie . stated, adding that lie believed this to be due to the large number of immigrants who desired to send Home matter descriptive of their new country. He had never sold such a quantity of annuals, and they were already very difficult to procure. Touching upon general supplies, he stated that this year there was a greater range of goods at lower prices than last year, especially in British goods. The quality had improved, and these factors could not fail to have their effect upon trade. “The British publishers are getting back to a pre-war basis,” lie commented.

“Our trade is well abend of this period last year,” was a leading jeweller’s reply to the reporter’s query _as to his volume of Christmas trade. “The people are buying more freely and on the whole are demanding a ■ hotter and more expensive article than was the case during the Christmas period of 1923.” Prices, he added, were easier, and German goods in his line were coming to hand. Last Yuletide the embargo on these was lifted too late to permit of their importation to any considerable extent, but now they wore arriving in quantities, and for the most part were reasonably priced. However, the British jewellery firms had also made an advance and it was their goods which constituted the bulk of the offering on the market. ’

A director of one of the largest drapery, fancy goods and toy houses in Palmerston North held out a happy augury for Christinas trade. Ho also declared that there was a wider range of selection all round, Gorman toys playing a part in that division of interest to the juveniles. Prices, ho thought, were down on the 1925 basis in most lines, though clothing was about the same and was going. to become dearer on account of tlio rise in wool prices. Incidentally, he added, this fact was going to cause more cotton to be used in fabrics, thus increasing the cost of cotton as well as of woollen goods. “It is noticeable that the public this year have more confidence than last and are spending more freely,” was his expressed view. “Our returns are much increased over the corresponding period for last year,” stated the manager of a men’s clothing establishment. “Last Saturday was a wonderful business day, and although thero has been a lull since, I am certain that trade will come back with an enhanced impetus within tlio next few days.” Continuing, he said that the large prices for wool would not be reflected in this district so much as in slieepfarming districts like tlio Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay, but nevertheless the position seemed sound and quite hopeful.

A tour of sonic of grocery emporiums elicited the information that here, also, trade was sound, with a promise of at least a volume' of business equal to last year. In many lines prices were lower, and such articles as dried fruits were finding a very ready market. There was an abundance of supplies, a. factor which had not always been present in some past Christinas seasons, and holiday shoppers could get anything they wanted. Tobacconists, too, were eager to slate that they were sharing in the busy preholiday trade, and generally suid that purchases of good class articles were being freely made. POSTAL BUSINESS.

“The public are essentially a last minute element,” said the chief postmaster, Mr R. Martin, when asked what was the effect of the approach of Christmas on his department. Amplifying his remark, he said that it would not be till (ho next, ■week or 10 days that the full volume of Yuietide business would become apparent. “Business is brisk though, and there is quite a deal of life in it,” he added, “anti there are indications that it / will greatly increase in the next few days. During the past fortnight there has been a great, increase in parcels post, while the mail which closed here a fortnight ago in time to reach England for Christmas Eve was a very heavy one. As yet there is no marked extra life in the telegraph work, though there are occasionally busy days.”