CHRISTMAS TRADE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19980, 23 December 1926, Page 12

CHRISTMAS TRADE.

BRISK AT WELLINGTON. A BUSY, FORTNIGHT. [Special to Daily Times.i WELLINGTON, December 22. The manager of a very largo retail establishment stated to-day that the Christmas trade was excellent, and so far his returns had substantially exceeded those for the corresponding period of last year. The head of one retail drapery warehouse said that owing to a dejected spring (meteorologically) there was a good deal of leeway to make up, but the trade had been so good during the dast fortnight that looked as though a recovery would be effected before the holidays. It all depended upon the weather. People were prepared to spend liberally as long as the sun was shining, but they buttoned up their purses when the skies clouded over and the rain began to fall. It was a late summer this year—yesterday was the longest day—and a good deal of bright weather was required to bring returns up to the normal Christmas level. The trade in books, fancy goods, toilet requisites, toys, etc., was reported to have awakened with a vengeance during the past few days, and if the blue skies continue it will not surprise traders if a record week is experienced. On account of the recent bad weather, fruit is slightly dearer this Christmas than usual, but vegetables are fairly cheap, potatoes being particularly so. Californian oranges were selling at £2 a case in the markets yesterday, that meant that the oranges would have to be sold at 4u each retail to return anv appreciable profit to the shopkeeper. This means that prime oranges are at present somewhat of a luxury.