AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22248, 18 January 1944, Page 4

AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

BUSINESS QUIETER

SHOPS HAVE BREATHING SPACE As is usually the case at this time ■ r the ye r there is less business being done in the shop?, the retail trade generally having become quieter • er t ic Christmas and New Year chopping rush which depleted most ■urses. Last year the difference was not so marked, probably on account of the travel restrictions which were then enforced, resulting in fewer people' leaving the town on roliday. The manager of one firm said thal opportunity was beirg taken to reirganise stock-, as well as to grant nembers of the staff their annual save. In con 4 rest, a men's outlier said that since he had opened is shop at the end of the holiday cr-n-i b o had experienced very bright business and stocks had sold si as readily as they had before Christmas. In some stocks ad been due to arrive before the olidav period but owing to present bortages of material had only just cached him. Tobacconists generally appear tc ave been subjected to a fairly teady demand for smokers’ requisites but in their case there have ■>een restricted sales owing to the fact that the main supplies for the month have not yet arrived. Conequently they have been far from able to keep pace xvith the demand. Large chain stores have not seen the throngs of eager shoppers that were r. evidence before the holidays. The fact that many people were away on holiday enabled them to- straighteji up their stocks which tended to become disorganised during the preholiday rush, was the comment of :ne manager. As was the case with Numerous other firms business would become more brisk toward the end of the month as the school holidays drew to a close, making the purchase of school requirements a paramount need. Demand for Reading Matter Booksellers have not been affected to the same extent as most other businesses and there has been a steady demand for reading material. One bookseller pointed out that although many Hamilton people were away there had also been a considerable number visiting the town, who had been responsible for sales being well maintained. The tendency of the average holidaymaker was to keep well-stocked with reading material, mainly of a light nature, and consequently bookshops did not experience a marked drop in business. He drew attention to two visitors to the

town- who at that moment were browsing through some of the lighter literature on his shelves. A grocer said that since the holiday period conditions were comparatively quiet, though no more than was to '->e expected at this time of year. There had been a steady flow of customers when the shop first opened . after the New Year holiday, many people purchasing their rations of tea, sugar and butter with the conse- | quent exchange of coupons meaning extra work.