Wanganui bookshop owners say their sales are up in the lead-up to Christmas this year, reflecting a national trend. According to the latest Paymark statistics, book sales were up by 6 per cent from the 2013 sales for the first two weeks of December.
Retailers told the Chronicle magazines and recycled books were also selling well.
Paiges Book Gallery owner Lesley Stead and retail assistant Rochelle Handley said they had been "flat-out" this month. "We have been selling a lot of Christmas presents and having to reorder a lot of books and toys. It is also the time of year when schools order their books for next year and we have had children coming in to buy gifts for their teachers."
Ms Stead said she gives credit to retail promoter Mainstreet Wanganui for their Buy Local campaign and Wanganui people for their loyalty to local retailers.
Whitcoulls Victoria Ave store manager, Heather Mitchell-Anyon, said sales had been steady and she credited the good list of titles in stock for the popularity of books this year. "There are some great titles in all the sections this year - cook books, children's and adults' fiction and non-fiction are all selling well."
Paymark communications specialist Serena Benson said the 6 per cent included magazines and other items. "Basically it includes all items sold in bookshops, which can include toys, stationery and DVDs as well as games and trinkets."
Lindsay Rhem of Lindsay's Lotto Post & More in Wanganui East, Garry McElwain of Aramoho Paperworld & Lotto and Brian Vaughan of Springvale Bookshop all reported increased sales of magazines and small gift items. "They make good stocking fillers and last-minute gifts," said Mr Rhem.
Mr McElwain said he thought book sales had bounced back because people had tried the novelty of e-books and decided they preferred the paper versions. "It is like any new trend - people rush to try it out and discover they like the original after all."
Sheena Wager of The Post Office Bookshop in Ridgway St said things had been a bit quiet at her place. "We have a really good selection of magazines, cards and little books and magnets that would make excellent stocking fillers, but we are just not getting the foot traffic."
On the other side of Victoria Ave, the recently opened Flying Monkey Pre-Loved Book Emporium in the old Hong Kong restaurant building in Ridgway St is doing steady trade, according to owner Sian Overfield. Other pre-loved book sellers also report good sales and Red Cross Book Shop manager Trudy Taylor said the Guyton St shop had seen a marked increase in sales during the last three weeks. "It is very encouraging to see people buying books for Christmas and supporting Red Cross at the same time," she said.
Peter Littlewood of the Old Curiosity shop in Glasgow St said he had a loyal Christmas customer base each year.
"I get people who like particular genres and they know the tastes of the people they are buying for, or it might be a present for themselves."
Wanganui East BooksandToys shop owner Helen Williams said they were making steady sales of books with price tags ranging from $5 to $50. "People still like to give books for Christmas and we are selling a lot of model kitsets as well."
Despite the availability of e-books and online buying options, Wanganui people are still supporting their local book stores. Heather Mitchell-Anyon and Leslie Stead think they know why. Ms Stead said people still enjoyed going shopping and looking at the displays to make the right selection for a loved one. "There is nothing like opening the gift of a good book on Christmas morning. It symbolises the relaxation we look forward to after Christmas," said Mrs Mitchell-Anyon.