IMPROVED BUSINESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1933, Page 4

IMPROVED BUSINESS.

SHOPPING FOR CHRISTMAS

BRAKE ON SPENDING RELEASED.

RETAIL TRADE IN TARANAKI.

EFFECT OF BETTER WOOL PRICE.

Doubts whether the seasonal speeding up of shopping business would occur this year have almost disappeared at New Plymouth, according to statements made yesterday by a number of business people. The brakes on spending were released at the beginning of this week, even earlier in the opinion of some, with the result that yesterday the town was crowded with pedestrians who were shoppers. “Decidedly up on last year,” said a draper when asked if he could say whether more business was being done by his firm this year than last. He admitted that till last Thursday trade had not been encouraging, but on that day it picked up with amazing rapidity. He had had to employ six extra girls in one department alone, and even then it was necessary to bring the staff back at night-time in order to replenish the shelves, a duty that they had no time to attend to during shopping hours. A striking aspect of the business being done in the establishment was that buyers wanted “sensible stuff” rather than fancy goods and nick-nacks. Similar reports were made by other principals dealing in similar goods. The opinion that the strikingly enhanced prices for wool were having at least, an indirect effect on New Plymouth was expressed in one quarter. There was a good deal of wool in Taranaki, and it was pointed out that the incomes of growers who had already sold privately had been at least doubled, and some sheep-men had disposed of more than one year’s clip. Such returns were bound to inspire confidence. CUSTOMERS CAREFUL. A grocer said that he had been rushed this week and last. Customers were careful about their purchases and were, perhaps, not spending as freely as in former years; nevertheless fairly good business was being done in seasonal lines, and the staffs were kept working at a constant pace in order to cope with the custom. At another grocery store at which the reporter called in the afternoon there was no opportunity of interviewing anybody, as the complete staff of six or more were too busy serving; and the number of. waiting shoppers was continually being added to. A phenomenal demand for Christmas cards and “autographed” stationery was a feature of the season mentioned by a bookseller and stationer. As far as he was concerned the busy period started on Monday morning; Tuesday and yesterday were more encouraging still. Medium-priced goods were finding the most ready sale, he said, but generally the people were buying according to their resources and a good many gift books were being sold. Tuesday was considered by a fancy goods dealer to have been a better day for business than yesterday, which was busy enough, however. Another man in similar retail lines said his busy period had commenced a week ago last Monday, but he admitted that buying had speeded up during the past three days. It was believed that so far the December returns were equal to, if not a little better than those for the corresponding period last year. These business men had also found the general trend was towards the purchase of useful articles, such as cups and saucers, soaps, ties and socks* But the most gratifying reply to the reporter’s inquiry was received from a dealer in soft goods. “Last week we beat the 1929 record,” he said, “and this week we hope to do better still.” Reports from other Taranaki towns all indicate improved Christinas business returns during the past week.