CHRISTMAS TRADE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 23 December 1913, Page 5

CHRISTMAS TRADE

PROSPECTS BRIGHT.

There is no lack of choice this season 1 ir those in search of Christmas presents. In fact, each year appears to increase the variety and taste of articles to be se;\ displayed in tempting array to catch the eye of the prospective buyers. Manv of the shop windows have been dressed in an artistic manner, and help to add to the Christmas feeling that is no\« in the air. After the long spell of showery weather, the last few days of bright sunshine has induced shoppers t<> take full advantage of the welcome change in. weather conditions, with tinresult that business has been very brisk in most branches of ' trade. Inquiries made among retailers indicate that prospects are bright for a sood Christmas trade; but this, to a large extent, will depend on pleasant climatic conditions prevailing. Drapers, clothiers, etc.. have been experiencing a rather dull period on account of the wintry weather militating, against the disposal <>f summer clot\iing ; but business has looked up recently, and there is every prospect of a rjood recovery being made before the end: of the year. 'One retailer ventured th,e opinion that people were not used to shopping in the rairr, which has been so prevalent for some weeks ; but- that the fine weather was bringing the people out. An instance of this view wasi given by remarking that last Saturday ivao the best day—with the exception of" Christmas Eve—he had ever experi- , enced re-hile in business. Provided the j &m spell continued, the retailer was quit's satisfied that trade this Christmas ■weald be quite up to previous years. "I reckon there is more money about "th ; s year than last year," was the ontimistic reply of a Trafalgar-street retail business man, in reply to a query. He iifrther stated that Nelson had not yet feTi the strike, though we were not going to miss the bad effects later on. Prospects for good Christmas business were very bright. Another business man seen was also cheerful, his reason for such a pleasant state of affairs being that his takings] so far this December had been more] than for a similar eriod last year. With fine weather extending over the week, it was confidently anticipated that business would still further imDrove. Taking all things into consideration. shopkeepers should have no cause to i complain by the time they close down f>i the holidavs. j