Busy Boxing Day for Bay of Plenty shopping centres

Roberta Potgieter, 26, and Virginia Shimkute grabbing a Boxing Day bargain. Photo/George Novak

Lines were growing before stores even opened and carparks were full as shoppers grabbed Boxing Day bargains on what retailers described as one of the busiest trading days of the year.

Fraser Cove Shopping Centre manager Marie Mischewski said the carpark was full and there were queues outside The Warehouse from about 7am.

"Lots of people have been given vouchers I believe and they were redeeming those around the stores," Mischewski said.

"No matter how many sales we have throughout the year, nothing beats that Boxing Day frenzy."

Papamoa Plaza centre manager David Hill said people had been queuing up since 7am and there had been a "constant stream of people" visiting the centre from 8am.

"It is brilliant, we love it," Hill said. "December 23 and Christmas Eve were by far our busiest days of the year and Boxing Day is shaping up to be the same."

Hill said the carpark was "absolutely chocka" with people and the centre had opened up a grass area for extra parking. "That was filling up too," he said.

Bayfair Shopping Centre manager Steve Ellingford said the centre had been busy since 8am when the mall opened and foot traffic had increased throughout the morning.

"We had carpark staff on to assist traffic flows," he said. "It is traditionally a very busy day and this year is no different. There are lots of bargains on offer."

Roberta Potgieter, 26, and her mother Virginia Shimkute were spending the day shopping at Bayfair Shopping Centre to avoid the wet weather.

"We wanted to go berry picking but it was raining so we thought we would spend the day inside shopping," Shimkute said.

With shopping bags in hand, Shimkute said she and her daughter had taken advantage of the Boxing Day bargains and had bought some new clothes.

"One shop had 70 per cent off," she said.

WHAT WERE YOU SHOPPING FOR?

"I have been clothes shopping and buying late Christmas gifts for others."
Althea Obuyes, 22.
Tamera Sedgman, 16.
"I have done lots of clothes shopping and shoe shopping."
Ezekiel Tetevano, 19.
"I have been baby shopping for my nephews. I also got some clothes for half price and some funky socks."