While there are still two more Saturdays prior to Christmas, we saw trading yesterday as if there was just one Saturday left. All departments in the newsagency benefited from the increase in shopper traffic. While cards and magazines enjoyed the most growth, we saw benefits all round – even with calendars despite one trader in the centre discounting their 2012 calendars by 20%.
Great day here too yesterday ! I had a 15+ customer long line at my post counter with a new person arriving as soon as one was served and a shorter but continuous one on the news counter for most of yesterday morning. It was interesting when one of the regulars commented that it was even busier than normal for me for a Saturday and a couple of people waiting said they weren’t going to brave the major shopping centres this year (and the associated parking and crowding hassles – ironic that last bit considering how packed my little store was) but were sticking to the local shopping area. Seems to tie in with a Sunday Mail article today saying spending in the major centres here is down significantly.
Interestingly alot of local parcels seemed to be going early so far this year or maybe people are just going to end up sending more overall. Will be interesting to see how it pans out and ties in with the rest of the retail spending (whether people have spent big early and wont maintain spending or a bigger last minute spend will still occur).
Things are picking up here too this week and I expect it will be busier still in the next 2 weeks. Interestingly, people are just starting to figure out that last minute shopping online doesn’t work. Things just don’t get there in time. Of course I may be emphasising this with my customers just a little bit…
Interesting that you say that. Whilst during the week we have been busier than usual Saturday if anything was quieter. Sold less newspapers and lotto and less bodies through the shop. We are in a neighbourhood shopping centre and I suspect all the punters were at the BIG shopping centres and that was where the sales went. after all the advertising in newspapers etc. So that was why you were busier because we were quieter
Ditto, Wally.
Only so many people & only so much money.
We find that after Christmas, for us, is when it picks up.
I’m a strip centre shop Wally and I was up significantly for a Saturday though similar to you I was also very busy during the week.
I’d add to my post a note that today’s papers have reports of other retailers talking up Christmas sales. In our own case, we’re well into double digit growth on this time last year.