CHRISTMAS BUYING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 12

CHRISTMAS BUYING.

LARGE CROWDS IN SHOPS.

HEAVY TRADE ON FRIDAY.

BUSY WEEK EXPERIENCED.

One of tho , busiest weeks experienced was recorded last week in Auckland shops and department stores. A remarkable volume of trade for a period so far in advance of Christmas was handled, while all through tho week tho shops were crowded with purchasers. ■ Friday evening was one of the busiest periods for some considerable time, the crowd of people in the city being almost as great as on Christmas Eve last year. Although no exact comparison is available it is probable that sales totalled nearly as much as on the best day of last year's season. There seems no doubt that but for the storm earlier in the day a record would have beon established, as many people were deterred by the rain and did not visit tho city. This week is expected to •be a very busy one, and a last-minute rush is anticipated. The great shopping day this season will be next Friday, although Monday will also bo a long night in the shops. Many people will be commencing their holidays on the Saturday, and Monday is expected to be quieter than tho day preceding Christmas usually is. In viow of tho groat rush already being experienced at the retail countors. shoppers will bo well advised not to postpone purchases to tho last minute. Ihey will be consulting their own interests in so doing as they will receive better service and less interruption in making a good selection. Incidentally they will be assisting the shop staffs and managements to discharge efficiently the great volume of Christmas and holiday business. The motto of everyone should therefore be to shop ns early as possible both in the day and throughout this busy week. Considerable discrimination is being shown by buyers this year in their choice of purchases. It seem/'that some shoppers have set asido a certain sum of money and are determined to obtain the best possiblo value. For some years now tho trend in presents has been toward tho usoful rather than the purely ornamental and stores are again catering for this type of buyer. A feature of this year's shopping is that there has been very little demand so far for men's goods, the only time that men's departments have been greatly patronised being last Friday evening. It is expected that during the coming week this branch of trade will become more active. On the ' other hand there has been a wide demand for novelties which combine utility with a pleasing appearance.