RACHEL PINDER
Shoppers in Hawke's Bay flocked to stores yesterday across the region to snap up Boxing-Day bargains. Tills rang frantically as people queued up to buy hugely reduced items or exchange unwanted Christmas presents.
All major supermarkets were closed on Christmas Day, so some people were out early to stock up
on supplies. Sharon Connell, store manager at Briscoe's Homeware in Queen Street East, Hastings, said it was the single biggest trading day in the company's history. "We were just so busy from the time we opened at 8am until we closed at 8pm. The store was constantly packed.
"The check-outs were full all day. Lots of people had got vouchers for Christmas and we had 50 percent off linen, so the shop floor was chaotic.
"Boxing Day is always the biggest day of the year. And luckily we had double the staff on to cope with the rush," she said.
Dave Mann, store manager at The Warehouse in Napier, said it had been very busy throughout the day.
"We had multiple sales on throughout all the departments.
"It was busy all day and toys were very popular, as a lot of kids had been given vouchers for Christmas.
"We also sold a lot of barbecues and quite a few people were buying reduced Christmas decorations ready for next year," he said.
Farmer's in Emerson Street, Napier, opened from 9am until 7pm, and a spokesman for the store said there were about 40 people waiting at the door for the store to open.
"It went incredibly well. It was busy from the time we opened and the numbers of shoppers swelled throughout the day.
"We had discounted items across the board and the most popular products were reduced Christmas decorations, lingerie and toys.
"It started slowing down slightly after 5pm, which was good as it gave us chance to clear the store up a bit," he said. Trade at supermarkets was also brisk, with people flocking to pick up groceries.
A spokesman from Countdown in Hastings said business had been steady from 7am until 10pm.
"Most people were just picking up bits and pieces they'd run out of, like bread and milk," he said.
Restaurants across Hawke's Bay were also busy.
