Last minute Christmas rush predicted

Media release

Newmarket Business Association

Sunday, 13 December 2009

Last minute Christmas rush predicted so shop this week

The head of Auckland’s leading retail district says all indicators are pointing to a last minute Christmas rush across the country. He says people who want to avoid the stress, gridlock and queues should do their shopping sooner rather than later.

“EFTPOS provider Paymark is predicting a huge final week like we had last year. What’s more given the economic climate, 89% of Newmarket retailers think a lot of people will delay their Christmas shopping until that last week. Also, with Christmas falling on a Friday many Kiwis will work right up until Christmas Eve and then go out and shop,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

Mr Brewer says other results from a pre-Christmas retail trading survey sent out to nearly 500 Newmarket retailers showed that many retailers predict this Christmas will be better for business than last Christmas.

“Only 21% of retailers think consumer confidence is down from last December, and only 27% think Christmas trade will be down on last year. Many retailers actually believe consumer confidence has improved since last Christmas and subsequently 42% of retailers believe their Christmas trade will be up on last year, with 31% saying it will be about the same.

“People are generally feeling better. However let’s not forget that 12 months ago people were spooked terribly with what was happening in America and to the likes of finance companies. It seems that consumers and retailers now strongly feel the worst is behind them. Medium-term business and consumer confidence has certainly lifted and that’s a big positive.”

The Newmarket survey showed that 64% of Newmarket retailers believe 2010 will be better than 2009. Twenty-eight percent said 2010 will be about the same, while only 8% predict 2010 will be worse.

Other interesting features of the survey included 63% of respondents believe this year people are generally taking a more practical approach to Christmas such as buying gift vouchers. What’s more 53% of Newmarket retailers think more people have taken advantage of the all-year sales and purchased their presents early.

“It’s increasingly evident that retailers and consumers alike are feeling better about this Christmas. What is also becoming clear is that while some have put presents away, the majority of people have delayed their spending. It is lining up to be a huge Christmas Eve. Those that want to avoid the rush need to get shopping this week,” says Cameron Brewer.

Ends     

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