Easter a manic time for shops

RACHEL PINDER
Retailers across Hawke's Bay enjoyed a frantic weekend as shoppers rushed to snap up bargains over the Easter break. Tills rang like crazy as people came out in droves to soak up the sunshine and buy their last-minute Easter eggs.
Most major supermarkets were closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, leaving some people caught out without enough supplies.
Dave Willis, duty manager at The Warehouse in Market Street West, Hastings, said he opened the doors this morning at 8.30am to 50 people who were waiting outside to snap up half-price Easter eggs.
"We were closed on Friday and Sunday, and on Thursday it was absolutely ballistic. We were flat out all day.
"And we're expecting to be really busy today as we've got 50 percent off Easter eggs, and we even had people queuing outside this morning to buy them," he said.
Diane Johnston, store manager at Woolworths, in Carlyle Street, Napier, said the store opened from 6am until 10pm on Saturday, but was closed on Friday and Sunday.
"We were very busy and we even ran out of Hawke's Bay Today newspapers. And there were definitely a lot more people from out of town in the store," she said.
While supermarkets closed their doors, smaller shops made the most of the opportunity, with people flocking to pick up groceries and essentials.
Guy Meech, manager at Four Square in Kennedy Road, Marewa, said he was probably 30 percent up on Christmas week, and he'd had a very busy weekend.
"It was manic. It's the first Easter I've had here and it was well above what I expected. People were stocking up on a full range of things, it wasn't really just one thing in particular. I'm very pleased and hope it continues today." Department stores also reported a brisk trade, with people eager to make the most of discounts and Easter sale bargains.
Sharon Connell, manager at Briscoe's Homeware in Queen Street East, Hastings, said takings were well up on last year. Elisa Wallis, fashion manager at Farmers in Emerson Street, Napier, said Saturday had been a "boomer".
"We were really busy throughout the day and we're expecting it to be the same today. Winter clothing is going very well and after this sale we'll be going into our Anzac sale so we'll be expecting the rush to continue," she said.
Wineries across Hawke's Bay also enjoyed a hectic weekend, as tourists and locals alike made a beeline to sample their wares in the warm sunshine.
Jan Billington, cellar door manager at Clearview Winery in Te Awanga, said it had been "horrendously busy" over the weekend.
"We've been fully booked for lunch every day. We've also had a lot of people through for tastings and wine sales, which is a record on last year. There's been plenty of locals, out-of-towners and tourists, and I think the weather has played a huge part," she said.
The Silky Oak Chocolate Company in Waiohiki was also very busy, with 10,000 marshmallow eggs sold over the weekend. Company director Jeanette Darwen said it had been crazy since Thursday, with a lot of good feedback from customers.