SHOPS THRONGED

Southland Times, Issue 22771, 23 December 1935, Page 8

SHOPS THRONGED

CHRISTMAS TRADE RECORD TAKINGS EXPECTED PEOPLE SPENDING FREELY If Christmas 1935 promises to be the merriest for a number of years, it also promises to be the busiest. Already the shopkeepers of Invercargill are talking about record takings, already the railway and postal departments are working at top pressure, already the roads are crowded with the cars of holiday-makers, already tourist resorts are filling freely. If ever Old Man Depression is to receive a knock-out blow, it should be administered this Christmas when free spending combined with carefree holidays definitely point to a return to prosperity and confidence. Invercargill retailers were most gratified with their takings in Show Week, but they are still more pleased with the returns of Friday and Saturday. And they have the rush of today and to-morrow to bring money to their tills. While there are a good many people who adopt the slogan “Shop early” for their Christmas buying, there are many more who either from choice or necessity defer making their purchases until the last day or two. Shop assistants refreshed by the week-end respite will have a harassing time to-day and to-morrow when parking space will be at a premium in the city streets and when young and old will be buying presents for insertion in the Christmas stocking, food for the Christmas dinner and holiday jaunts and other articles to assist in the season’s festivities. . . Grocers report that the size of Christmas hampers this year exceeds that of recent years; jewellers state that better class articles are being purchased; the petrol stations advise that they had an exceptionally busy week-end, the tanks of many cars requiring to be filled so that their owners could make an early start on their holiday tour. Judging from the reports of drapery establishments and men’s , outfitters this year’s holiday crowds should be much better dressed than for some time. The long spell of warm weather had created a keen demand for light summer frocks and bathing suits. Beach pyjamas were also being eagerly sought. Hairdressers state that in addition to the Christmas rush of men desiring to be tonsorially correct there has been an excellent demand for good quality pipes and razors, while cigarette and tobacco sales show an appreciable increase on those of recent years. Hardware houses have reaped a rich harvest, there has been a big demand for confectionery, the book is coming into its own again as an admirable Christinas gift—in fact turn wheresoe’er one may, this year’s Christmas shopping is assuming record proportions. But the saying “You never know till the numbers go up” applies, and it will not be until after to-morrow night that the true story of Christmas shopping can be written.