CHRISTMAS TRADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 December 1943, Page 3

CHRISTMAS TRADE

MASTERTON RETAILERS REPORT GOOD BUSINESS INCREASE IN TAKINGS Good reports about Christmas trade are given by Masterton retailers. All those asked agreed that business was good and that they were well satisfied. A jeweller, stating that business was surprisingly good, said his receipts for last Friday were nearly 50 per cent higher than for the corresponding day last year. Buyers were cheerfully accepting substitutes for articles they could not obtain.

“We should have a dean town after this, as there is plenty of soap being sold,” jokingly remarked the proprietor of a Masterton firm, who regarded business as pretty good. Last week’s takings were higher than those for the corresponding period of last year. He added that stocks were'getting rather thin, especially novelty lines. Most business was being done in toilet goods, all of which were made in New Zealand. There were few toys available. The people, he said, realised the position and were making the best of it. They were buying fairly freely, in spite of the poor selection.

Christmas cards and calendars, stated another Masterton retailer, were in good supply and were all made in New Zealand. Books were hard to get but it was pleasing to know that some English productions were now being printed in New Zealand or Australia. That was the first time such a thing had been done and no doubt the practice would be extended.