Busy tills bring holiday smiles

Shops have been busier than normal in the lead up to Christmas.

Organised Christmas shoppers have kept Rotorua tills busy, with many retailers reporting a busier than normal lead-up to Christmas.

The latest Paymark figures show shoppers in the Bay of Plenty swiped away $287.8million on Eftpos transactions in November, up 4.5 per cent up from November last year. Rotorua retailers seem to be reaping the rewards.

Mike Steiner of Steiners Interiors by Reputation said they were thrilled with how the lead-up to Christmas was going.

"Personally, it's absolutely fabulous. We've been really busy all year and the lead-up to Christmas has been excellent."

Mr Steiner said they had been so busy another staff member had been employed to help.

"We are very happy with the way things are tracking."

Mr Steiner, who was also the spokesman of the Inner City Retail Group, said retailers he had spoken to were generally positive.

With two weekends left before Christmas, retailers should be putting their best foot forward, making sure their windows were attractive, stores welcoming and staff pleasant, he said.

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh said during the past few months there had been increased confidence in the local economy.

"With two weeks to go to Christmas and schools now breaking up for the year, the mad rush for Christmas presents will now start to commence."

Mr Walsh said the retailers he had spoken to had confirmed things were getting busier and they were confident that this year would be better than last, when people were reluctant to spend.

Sales and marketing manager for Mountain Jade, Sabine Willemsen, said the Rotorua town centre was awash with shoppers looking to buy.

"Generally for us, the last week before Christmas goes mad. Lots of locals come in and buy Christmas presents. The town centre, however, is filled with people shopping before that. As I look outside now, I can see there are many more people than there would be at other times of the year.

"Our website has also been really busy. The pre-Christmas rush has hit it earlier than it has hit the shop."

McLeods Booksellers staff member Michael Byrne said there had been a dramatic rise in people in the shop recently.

"The Eftpos is being knocked offline it's so busy but nobody seems to be panicked."

Tanya Forsyth from Envy in Tutanekai St said she was happy with the way the season was going and was hoping for a busy last few weeks before the big day.