PJs fly off shelves to combat deep freeze
WINTER temperatures have locals shivering in their boots and retailers are scrambling to keep up with demand for pyjamas, jackets, jumpers, scarves, blankets and heaters.
Coffee shops are also recording bumper sales as Gold Coasters flock to their favourite spots for drinks to warm their insides and their fingers as they clutch them to ward off the cold.
As Coolangatta shivered through its coldest morning ever yesterday — just 0.6C — Cafe Dbar manager Ali Archdeacon said staff were fielding many more requests for warm drinks this week.
“Our coffee and hot chocolate sales definitely rise in winter. They’re the drinks of choice — especially in the last week,” she said.
“And more and more people are getting rugged up, wearing bigger coats, bigger jackets, beanies, scarves and even gloves.”
It was an obvious conversation starter with customers.
“I think that’s how people start with greeting us, ‘isn’t it cold this morning’. We’re usually so hot and warm on the Gold Coast, as soon as the temperature drops everyone has something to say,’’ she said.
Morning peak demand times had changed too.
“It used to be around 5.30 to sixish, but a lot of customers are getting up later and it’s around 7am now when we find it’s quite a busy rush.”
Warm pyjamas and bedding have been in demand at large retailers.
“At Pillow Talk, flannelette sheets, quilts and blankets have been popular the last few days, with the midyear sale helping as items are already discounted,” Australia Fair spokesperson Louise Jurgs said.
“Best & Less have been extremely busy with shoppers stocking up on flannelette pyjamas, jumpers and other winter products.
“Women’s retailer Sussan has also seen a spike in demand for pyjamas and cardigans following the cold snap.”
It wasn’t just the major retailers noticing a spike.
Lifeline op shops reported shoppers were requesting heavy-duty winter warmers to help combat the cold.
“With the recent cold snap we’ve noticed an increase in foot traffic with customers focused on winter apparel and blankets over all 11 of our Gold Coast Lifeline shops,” Lifeline retail co-ordinator Trudi Maxwell said.
Tradies were fielding requests for installations of air conditioners, which can be used as heaters.
SAE Group spokesman Ben Edwards said the business had noticed a spike in inquiries.
Not surprisingly, there had also been a rise in requests for solar panels.
“Solar systems and airconditioning systems work extremely well together. Solar systems can run AC systems at a very low cost, especially newer AC systems which have inverter drive technology,” he said.
To combat the chill, households were urged to keep curtains closed, use draught protecters around doors and windows, and use airconditioning systems wisely.
“Rather than letting your house cool right down then turning your system on, run the AC system continually at a lower set temp in heating,” Mr Edwards said.
“Set the airconditioning to come on one hour before you are getting up in the morning.”
WE’RE USUALLY SO HOT AND WARM ON THE GOLD COAST, AS SOON AS THE TEMPERATURE DROPS EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY
BULLETIN’S VIEW, P14