CHRISTMAS IN THE SHOPS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 December 1932, Page 2

CHRISTMAS IN THE SHOPS

LOWER PRICES OF GOODS SHOPKEEPERS' VIEWS ON THE PROSPECTS BUYERS ASKED NOT TO DELAY PURCHASES

Shopkeepers in Nelson report, that a substantial amount of Christmas buying has been done already by some members of the public. Although none could say business was as good as could be' wished, il is the general opinion that if fine weather conditions prevail brisk buying will be maintained from now until Christmas. A number of shopkeepers interviewed staled that increased staffs had been provided for the. Christmas season and I hey hoped tin; public would respond early in order to take advantage of the service provided. A feature of this year's shopping for Christmas is-the ‘'utility gift buying/' many people giving their attention to gifts of the useful in preference to the purely ornamental or novelty varieties. This is-no doubt the result of the general prevailing conditions and shopkeepers who anticipated this turn of events are offering a remarkable rangei of gift lines at prices much below those of "other years. However, those, who cater for novelty lines report a fair demand for their’ goods and anticipate a rush period as’ Christmas Eve approaches. All shopkeepers refer to the fact- that though about the same number of customers are being served as in previous years, the turnover is considerably smaller on account of the reduced price of the goods and (he fact that shoppers are not spending “quite’ ’ as much.. “We’re finding business fairly brisk/' said the manager of a large ladies’ and men's wear shop to-day, “but we find on the whole people arc spending move on necessary goods such as wearables and not going in for high-priced articles. Owing to the general price of goods being down on last year wo find we have to serve more customers to gain, the same turnover ns was the case a year ago. The statement, of Mr Eovbes reeenlly"'thnt tilings were bad and were going to be "worse next year bad an immediate effect on trade for people after that buttoned up their purses. Before this there was a little optimism and people wore beginning to spend. “We’re not complaining however/ he added, “but we find people more careful than they used to be in their Christmas buying. Another thing we notice is that people find it best to pay for better quality goods which are now reasonably priced, than to buy cheap articles.” '“Christmas shopping was slow to start,” said another shopkeeper, “but it is improving now. Compared with last year one has to serve as many people, but they do not spend as much.” A similar opinion came from vet. another who said : “Business is not brilliant, hut we’re serving a lot of people even if they are not spending as much.” “Tlic prices of goods are lower,” he added, “and this particularly applies to ladies’ and household goods We’re expecting a rush from now on. Novelties are going off very well.” “flood weather encourages shopping, said one shopkeeper, “and if the weather keeps good we should do good business. There is a feeling of optimism about now and T would not be surprised to see a rush period with results greater than last. year.

“The sale of toys has been slow so far." said the owner of a business which deals extensively in these lines, “hut as usual we arc expecting to. do good business in the. final rush period. A\ e, hope shoppers don’t leave their buying too late as wo cannot give them the best of service at the last minute.” An inspection of windows and shops in the city shows that all classes of business are. l making a liig effort to attract customers and some really fine displays are to he seen.