Retailers struggling after quake

Photo / Sarah Ivey

Some central Christchurch businesses are struggling with up to a 60 per cent decline in business since the September 4 earthquake.

While much of the central business district is open for business, shoppers are staying away from the downtown area, preferring to spend their money in suburban malls.

Central Christchurch Business Association head Paul Lonsdale said trade was particularly slow.

"It varies, but some are down from 10 per cent up to 60 per cent - so they are seriously down."

This was despite 92 per cent of businesses being open as normal and very little visible sign at ground level that there had been an earthquake.

"Obviously we have come back to life very quickly. This is only three weeks in from a major disaster," Mr Lonsdale said.

The 7.1 magnitude earthquake has caused shopping habits to change.

Mr Lonsdale said items such as televisions and crockery that had been damaged were bigger sellers than normal.

"We're trying to get our local people to come in [to the city] ... and get back to their normal spending as quickly as possible."

A number of businesses were planning quirky campaigns to get customers back and one national retailer was planning a major promotion this Friday.

"They're concerned enough to really stimulate something."

Mr Lonsdale hoped retailers would be able to obtain funding for promotional campaigns from the city council.

A lot of business owners remained optimistic, he said. "There's going to be a lot of money flowing in over the next few months and years for the rebuild, so there are a lot of positives coming in."

Westende Jewellers was one of the highest profile casualties of the earthquake. Its building on the corner of Manchester and Worcester Sts was destroyed and owner Roger Kelso and his son Andrew were later allowed just half an hour to get out as much stock as they could.

Andrew Kelso said they had partially re-opened within an antique store in Gloucester St.

A Worcester St store owner said yesterday he didn't believe the slow-down would last.

"I do think they [customers] will come back. People are very loyal and we were doing okay before [the quake]."