Wellington retail performing well post-Quake

WELLINGTON RETAIL PERFORMING WELL OVERALL POST-QUAKE, BUT SOME FIRMS FEELING PINCH

A month after the November earthquakes, Retail NZ reports the sector is in good heart overall across the Wellington region, although some businesses are suffering.

"The Wellington and Lower Hutt CBDs are open for business - but some retailers are reporting that foot traffic is down, as a result of carpark closures, office relocations and bad weather," said Greg Harford, Retail NZ's General Manager for Public Affairs today. “Some CBD retailers are reporting worse performance than usual - but across the region, spending is strong. Paymark is reporting a 14% increase in spending during the first 10 days of December across the region, although this falls to 11% in the Wellington CBD. This suggests that, while some stores individual CBD stores are not doing as well as expected, spending has transferred to shops in other parts of the Wellington region.

"Shops are now getting busier in the run up to Christmas. We are hearing that, as well as the usual seasonal demand for toys, fashion, homeware and hardware, retailers have had steady demand for emergency supply kits over the past month as households and businesses take the opportunity to improve their civil defence readiness.

"Wellington City remains a fantastic shopping destination, and retailers are urging customers to use public transport wherever possible to ease parking congestion. Wellington is blessed in that it does have a good public transport system, and although cars are necessary for some purchases, shoppers appear to be making good use of buses and trains in the leadup to the festive season.

"While some stores are certainly impacted by reduced foot traffic, overall spending is very positive across the whole of Wellington. We are expecting another spending record this December, with Christmas Eve certain to be the busiest shopping day of the year.

"Wellington and Hutt retailers want customers back in the CBDs. The city centres are safe, and shops are open for business, and as the weather improves in the run-up to Christmas, we expect shoppers will increasingly be out and about.”

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