Editorial: Shopping habits change

Some prefer the convenience of popping into a store on their way home at complexes similar to the Redwood Centre.

Another shopping complex looks likely to be built on the outskirts of Rotorua, this time on Fairy Springs Rd at the site formerly occupied by Oderings.

"Another complex to take away businesses from Rotorua's dying central city," I hear you say.

Not so. Ask yourself this. Would these businesses likely go in Rotorua's CBD anyway?

Already six shops have signed leases wanting to be among the new businesses at the complex.

This is brilliant news. That's six new businesses in Rotorua no doubt offering new jobs.

There's no denying Rotorua's central city looks awful at present with far too many empty shops.

The challenge for the newly elected Rotorua District Council next month will be to act quickly to make it better. There's plenty that can be done. Perhaps more green spaces and a reduction of shops is needed?

Let's not hang on to the glory days of thriving and growing town centres. Shopping habits, like it or not, have changed. More people are buying new and used goods online or prefer to go to malls. Others prefer the convenience of popping into a store on their way home at complexes similar to the Redwood Centre at Lynmore or the one proposed on Fairy Springs Rd.

I don't believe those shopping habits can ever be reversed.

In the meantime, we should be grateful for developers like Tony Bradley who are bringing new businesses to town and offering fresh developments to spruce up our suburbs.