Christmas trade booming in city

Alex de Vos
Geelong retailers have reported a surge in pre-Christmas trading.
Geelong Retailers Association president Hayden Spurling said festive season trading got off to a good start and was set to rise further as the region enters the last shopping week before Christmas.
“It appears to be up on this time last year,” Mr Spurling said.
He said last Christmas was a tough year for many of the city’s retailers, so he welcomed this year’s extra day of pre-Christmas shopping.
“Last year was all doom and gloom but I think this year people are a bit more positive,” he said.
“People have more confidence and are out there spending for Christmas.
“We have an extra day this year because Christmas falls on a Friday, which is good.”
Market Square Shopping Centre manager Sandy Kelly-Burton also reported busy trading.
“We have found that, since Melbourne Cup Day, people have started shopping for Christmas and I think the Sidewalk Sales kick-started that shopping period.”
Ms Kelly-Burton noted the centre’s car park was full by 10.15am, with some centre retailers reporting a spike in revenue.
“Best and Less is trading well after an excellent November and is exceeding last year’s figures,” she said.
“Our Santa feedback is that it’s the busiest it’s ever been and JB Hi-Fi is close to last year’s budget with big-ticket items like televisions and games selling well.”
However, Ms Kelly-Burton said customers were choosier with their Christmas cash this year.
“Harris Scarfe has commented on their gift card purchases, which have far exceeded last year,” she said.
“Customers are being more selective and perhaps buying gifts to spend at the post-Christmas sales.”
A Westfield Geelong spokesperson said a rise in shoppers and high turnover of cars in the centre’s carpark indicated a “good Christmas”.
“We are experiencing a busy Christmas trading period at Westfield Geelong,” the spokesperson said.
“The centre’s Christmas decorations and Santa photos are proving popular with our shoppers.”
Australian Retailers Association predicts shoppers will pour $9.3 billion into cash registers across Victoria this festive season, up 4.7 per cent on last year.