SHOPPING CLIMAX

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23228, 23 December 1938, Page 12

SHOPPING CLIMAX

CHRISTMAS ACTIVITY FINAL RUSH TO-NIGHT CITY STREETS THRONGED START 01' HOLIDAYS On account of Christmas Eve falling on a Saturday the climax to tho frenzy of seasonal buying is expected to be reached to-night, when tho customary extended hours of trado will be observed by most groups of retailers in the city. Shops are to remain open until 10 p.m., and business will also bo transacted to-morrow until midday, when the shops will close until next Wednesday. City streets were again thronged yesterday by a jostling crowd of shoppers, the augmented transport services being hard-pressed to cope with tho passengers travelling from tho outer suburbs. Retailers experienced another busy day, although, in common with the experience of past years, there was a slight lull in activity which was regarded as heralding the storm of frantic buying to-day. Full satisfaction with tho results of tho seasonal shopping period was oxpressed yesterday, but it was anticipated that the daily returns would be overshadowed by tho turnover to-day and this evening, when tho largo number of shoppers from the city area will bo swelled by thousands of country visitors. Buying Close to Estimates Tho extent of the steady buying which has characterised the past few weeks has fairly closely approximated the estimates made by retailers when stocks were ordered earlier in the year, and as a result there aro stated to bo comparative!}' few lines which have been completely cleared up to tho present stage. Although a general replenishment of stocks will be necessary in the new year, it is only essentially seasonal goods, for which there is little demand after Christmas, that are likely to bo in short supply for tho final burst of shopping activity. Uncertain weather still reacts upon tho trado in the city. It was one of tho principal factors which deterred early shoppers and, with a large proportion of the community now making final preparations for summer holidays, the unsettled conditions have created a feeling of hesitancy among those who plan to spend Christmas and tho New Year away from their homes. In comparison with past years, somo dealers nave noticed a disinclination to purchase beach wear or summer sports goods, and to some extent the demand for camping equipment is also stated to have been affected. Professional Vacation

For workers in many occupations today marks the commencement of Christmas or annual vacations. The Auckland Stock Exchange and public accountants' offices closed yesterday, while the majority of other clerical workers will cease work to-day. Members of the legal profession have also commenced the Christmas-New . Year vacation and will not resume practice until January 10, while City Council business at the Town Hall will be suspended from to-morrow until January 4. For the housewife the suspension of business over the Christmas period will provide greater trials than in many past years. It will be necessary for larders to be replenished to-day and to-morrow morning in sufficient quantity to provide for household needs until Wednesday, when the majority of shops will reopen. Bread is to be baked ancf delivered to-day and to-morrow, but it will not be possible to obtain further supplies until Wednesday. A similar position will prevail over the New Year holidays. Queen Street Traffic To-night Banks will close at 11.30 a.m. tomorrow and will resume business on Thursday. The following week they will be closed only on the Monday and Tuesday and will reopen on January 4. As in previous years, preparations are being made to cope with the influx of people into the city to-night. Between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. the part of Queen Street between Customs Street and Wellesley Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic except tramcars. This will have the effect of considerably reducing the congestion that would arise if pedestrians were strictly limited to the footpaths.