WITH APPROACH OF XMAS, BUSINESS IS NOW BRISK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18639, 17 December 1928, Page 11

WITH APPROACH OF XMAS, BUSINESS IS NOW BRISK.

GROCERS STILL ENGAGED IN PRICE CUTTING. With the near approach of Christmas retail business is becoming brisk, and for the majority of shopkeepers the festive period should be a profitable one. There have been no important changes m main grocery lines since the beginning of last week. The “pricecutting war” is still being waged as fiercely as ever, and it is likely to last for a considerable time. The public are, of course, benefiting, but it is causing considerable worry to many grocers, especially some of the smaller men in the suburbs. Fruit and Vegetables. Before the rain last week cherries were plentiful and cheap. The rain, however, ruined a large proportion of the crop, and prices have accordingly advanced. A week or so ago the best cherries were being retailed at Is 6d a lb, while other lines of more inferior quality were selling at 6d and 9d a lb. Towards the end of last w’eek cherries were bringing on the wholesale market from Is 6d to Is 9d a lb. Rain-damaged cherries were, of course, much cheaper at from 2d to 6d a lb. The strawberry crops also suffered as a result of the rain, and they, too, advanced sharply in price. Apricots, the first of the season, were on sale in the shops to-day at Is and Is 6d a lb. Gooseberries cost 6d a lb, apples 4d, 5d and 6d a lb, oranges 8 and 10 for Is, lemons 8 for Is, mandarins 10 for Is, bananas 8 and 10 for Is. As a result of the rain last week there was a big falling-off in the supply of vegetables coming forward to the market, and, as a result, prices for most lines * advanced. Generally, however, there have not been any marked changes in retail rates. New potatoes cost 4d and 5d a lb, old potatoes 61b and 71b for Is, outdoor grown cucumbers 9d each, lettuces 2 for 3d, mushrooms 2s 6d a lb, white turnips and carrots 2d a bunch, asparagus lOd a bunch. Fish. Supplies of fresh fish were fairly plentiful to-day. Following are some prices a lb: Groper, Is (in the piece), Is 3d (cutlets), ling 6d, kingfish lOd, cod 6d and lOd, terakihi 7d and Is, flounders lOd, soles lOd. There is still a small quantity of whitebait coming to hand. It is being retailed at 2s 6d a half-pound. Poultry. Following are some prices for Christmas poultry: Turkeys, from 15s each, goslings, 7s 6d to 12s 6d each, ducklings from 13s 6d a pair, chickens from 7s a pair, boiling hens from 3s each.