Sales spin-off for locally-owned retail
Locally-owned retail has reaped the benefits of Boxing Day sales without having to run a red pen through their price-tags.
While shoppers piled into stores with marked down items, smaller shops were a drawcard for customers wanting to escape the chaos.
Shoppers in Palmerston North spent $3.7 million on Boxing Day through the Paymark network, which processes more than threequarters of all electronic transactions in New Zealand.
This was an 8.1 per cent increase on Boxing Day 2016.
Shoppers Manawatu¯ Standard talked to on Tuesday were looking for a bargain, but Bruce Mckenzie Booksellers had no interest in charging full price one day and half price the next.
Manager Louisa Mckenzie said they would rather keep prices consistent so it was fair for all shoppers.
But there were still more customers on Boxing Day than a regular Tuesday, she said.
‘‘We are continually surprised at how busy it is. They are avoiding the Boxing Day sales.’’
People often grabbed a bite at a George St cafe and then wandered through the shops, Mckenzie said.
Streets Ahead owner Trisha Cameron said they got the overflow from shoppers visiting The Plaza.
For more than 20 years she’d never held a Boxing Day sale.
Cameron tried to offer an honest and competitive price all year round, she said.
‘‘No-one is gong to come in the next day and be surprised when items are discounted.’’
Karilyn Andrew, owner of Urban Charm on George St, said she opted to run a sale as she wanted to give back to her regular customers.
Nationally Paymark recorded an increase in spending on Boxing Day of 6.4 per cent, with $139m being spent.
Whanganui had an increase of 9 per cent compared to last year, with people spending $1.1m.
Wellington had the lowest increase at 2.4 per cent. Auckland shoppers spent $57.1m, which was an increase of 3.7 per cent compared to last year.