CHRISTMAS TRADE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16920, 20 December 1922, Page 6

CHRISTMAS TRADE.

PEOPLE BUYING FREELY. RETAILERS PLEASED. lt Good, very good,” was the reply given this morning by a business man to a “ Star ’ * reporter who inquired as to the state of'the Christmas trade this year. Substantially the same response was met with everywhere. There is every indication that Christmas trade this year is going to be a great deal better than last year, and, among retailers, there is an air of quiet gratification. “ Things are hopeful.” said the head of one of the city’s largest grocery businesses. ** People are looking forward to having a good time, and are ready to pay lor a good feast ” The crowded state of his premises bore ample testimony to the correctness of his summary. Among the general public the Christmas spirit' that is always so powerful a loosener of purse strings appears to have settled this year earlier than usual, and in almost any shop one cares to enter the assistants will" be found busy meeting the heavy demand. “Business is very good with us." snid the head of a well-known business that caters particularly for women and children. She added that a good deal depended on the weather. If the weather continued good she anticipated that ‘business would remain at its present high level, but any break iu the weather would bring a falling off. 'Hie bookshops, always a happv rendezvous at Christmas time, are crowded all day at present, and in the afternoons particularly, it is a matter of some difficulty to move freely about. “Very good!” was the verdict of the booksellers regarding the state of trade. “ People arc buying as eagerly as ever. We have no cause to complain.” A number of shops, representative of different classes of business, were visited in turn, and all told the same story business was good and the expectation that it would prove to be bette*’ than last year’s was general. “ But what about the Oity Council’s demand for rates?” one business man was asked. “ Is that not having a bad effect on trade?” e: Thex-e has been everything to discourage people.” he replied. “Besides- the matter of rates, there is the bonus reduction, and. then, we have just got the elections over. but. nevertheless. the people seem to he rolling up all right.” He was not prepared ho said, to be boastful over-early. ‘ in case we may get it in the neck later on.” but he was more than satisfied with the progress of trade so for. and expected that last year’s figures would be easily surpassed.