SUMMER Street’s slow-moving traffic was sure to put a smile on the faces of most retailers as die-hard shoppers braved post-Christmas fatigue yesterday to hit the shops in search of a bargain.
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Most store owners reported a surge in shoppers to rival the pre-Christmas frenzy.
Orange City Centre spokeswoman Prue Valino said the centre was packed with shoppers looking for bargains in Myer, Big W and the specialty stores that occupy the centre.
“Hopefully it was a good day for sales. I think the shops were busier than they were before Christmas, “ she said.
“There’s heaps of things of things on sale in Myer and Big W and most of the individual stores have markdowns too.”
Miss Valino said most shoppers appeared to be happy to spend their money locally rather than buy online.
“They’re shopping here unless they want something specific from a store in Sydney,” she said.
Harvey Norman franchisee Wally Martyr said December 27 was always the busiest day of the year, and this year was no exception.
“That’s why we have extended hours and are open from 8 until 8,” he said.
Mr Martyr said sales had been strong across a range of products, with televisions and other technology-based items such as personal video recorders proving popular.
He said the Revitive Circulation Booster had also been popular with shoppers.
Mr Martyr said while some shoppers were looking to buy late Christmas presents, most were buying items for themselves, with many taking advantage of the company’s extended payment plan.
“A lot of people come in looking for bargains and there were genuine bargains here,” he said.
Other stores owners and managers decided consumer spending was so buoyant that massive post-Christmas Day sales weren’t necessary.
Kmart customer service manager Caitlin King said apart from having 50 per cent off Christmas items and a regular sale catalogue, there was no storewide sale.
“It was still very busy with lots of people buying decorations, gift bags and dinner sets,” she said.
Bobbies owner Mel Gregory did not have a Christmas sale either, but said business was steady.
“It’s been constant, but not as busy as last year,” she said.
“We had a lot of returns or exchanges last year and we haven’t had many this year so we may have a better year this year, we’ll have to see at the end of the day.”
Ms Gregory said because she sold a lot of summer clothing, she did not want to sell her stock at a reduced rate when there were still two months of summer left.
“A lot of retailers panic, but we try to hold our nerve,” she said.