RACE ON TO WRAP UP THE SHOPPING
SHOPPERS were out early in Cardiff yesterday for the start of the last full shopping weekend before Christmas. With the days left until Christmas dwindling away – and online shopping taking a few days at least to be delivered – shopping in person and saving on shipping costs seemed to be the preferred method on “Panic Saturday”.
Cardiff city centre came alive from 8am onwards, only a few hours after it had become quiet with the first Black Friday of the month out of the way.
Shutters could be seen rising and falling as staff members made their way into work for what was undoubtedly going to be a busy day, while waiting customers counted down the minutes outside for the doors to open so they could pick up their gifts.
An ever-rising queue of anxious customers emerged outside Pandora Cardiff before the store had even opened.
Joanne Kansiray, 43, and her friend Nerys Richards, 36, had both travelled from Ogmore Vale to Cardiff city centre to finish off their shopping.
They were just two of the people in the queue for the Pandora Cardiff store to open, and had come out early with the aim of getting home early, too.
Having not yet tackled their food shop, they said they can’t wait for the shops to close.
Joanne said: “I think it’s going to be worse tomorrow (Sunday).”
Nerys added: “I’ve got my list in my bag! It’ll be horrific.”
When we previously asked the store’s deputy manager, Nick Walters, why so many people queue before the store opens, he told us: “It’s just the Christmas hype.
“We recently had Black Friday, so are used to having shoppers queuing up outside the store before we open.
“It’s quite normal for there to be hundreds there to be waiting over 40 minutes before we open. Christmas is well under way. We get around 30 extra staff in on Christmas weekends to deal with the extra demand.”
Once all the doors to the high street shops and shopping centre stores had been opened, it was pretty much a constant wave of men, women and children of all ages going out to get their shopping finished or just to have a browse on one of the last chances for a full day’s shopping before Christmas Day.
And while spending and shopping was on the minds of many people, a divide over which was the best way to do it seemed to be playing out.
Some shoppers suggested Sunday could be busier – due to the number of people having gone out to enjoy themselves on Black Friday – while the “online versus shopping in person” trends continued.
Joanne Williams, from Neath, was picking up some Christmas items while out shopping with her mum.
They had decided to combine spending with a trip to see Mary Poppins at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.
“We’ve combined shopping with a trip to the theatre,” she said. “Shopping this morning and theatre this afternoon and then food.
“I think the general consensus is just get everything done today. I’ve got a little girl so I’ve done most of mine online.”
Kim Abberley, 58, from Danescourt in Cardiff, said it’s easier to do online shopping, especially if you work full-time. She finished her Christmas shopping on Friday.
“I finished yesterday, all online virtually. I didn’t used to but now it’s just easier for me.”
She was on her way to Cardiff Bay with her friend for a bike ride, but they’d stopped off in the city centre for an errand on the way.
“We’d go out-of-town shopping if it’s raining.”
Tracey Daniel, 51, from Cardiff, believes shoppers are using stores to browse but avoid the queues by ordering online afterwards.
“I think a lot of people do come in to see what they’re going to get, and they go and order it online.
“Nobody’s got the patience any more. I hate the crowds.”
Kristina Korczynski, 49, from Blackwood, made a day of it with her husband and decided to start off with breakfast, before parting ways for a few hours so they could buy each other presents.
She said: “We’ve come early to have breakfast first and avoid the rush. We shop together to buy some things for our son.”
Sam Clarke, 31, from Barry, only had one final present to pick up yesterday and was ready to go home by around 10.30am.
“I like to see what I’m buying. I’d rather come in early.”
The capital city’s unique arcades also saw plenty of business and footfall. The city saw some cult Welsh clothing brands pop up over the weekend, and dozens of eager buyers could be seen waiting for Welsh clothing brand Weekend Offender to open its doors in the Royal Arcade.
Leah Acraman, 27, deputy manager at Ty Hafan Emporium in Cardiff’s Royal Arcade, said she believes a lot of people turn to nontraditional places like charity shops to get unique Christmas presents.
She said they’d seen a lot more people coming into the store – which sells brand new products as well as second-hand goods – during the festive season.
“We sell a lot of brand new things, we buy in merchandise,” she said.
“I think it definitely sets us out from other charity shops.
“I think people want something different at Christmas and something a little bit more unique.
“It’s giving twice, because you’re giving to the charity and you’re giving to the person you’ve bought it for.”
Shoppers at one Cardiff city centre store were interrupted during the morning when what appeared to be a fire alarm went off.
Customers in Next on Queen Street were asked to leave the store while the cause of the alarm was investigated, just after 9.30am.
Staff made their way to their assembly point, while the doors were closed to customers who’d made their way into the store.
Some shoppers queued outside to wait to get back inside, while the alarm was switched off.
The store was declared open for business again after about 10 minutes.