Stores brace for 'crazy' day

RUSH TIME: Vimal Chopra, 6, with his aunt Sandra Graetz shopping on Christmas Eve.PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

RETAILERS are gearing up for one of the "biggest Boxing Days Rotorua has ever seen" as people flock to the shops to make the most of the annual sales.

Boxing Day is one of the busiest days of the year for Rotorua retailers and this year is not expected to be any different, with many launching into major sales to make the most of the holiday traffic.

Rotorua Central, which is home to many of the big-box retailers planning major sales, is bracing for a hectic day.

Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust client manager Peter Faulkner said Central Mall's retailers had experienced a strong lead up to Christmas and he expected Boxing Day to carry on the trend.

"We are expecting Boxing Day to be equally as busy, if not more. This December we have seen one of the strongest retailing environments so we hope to see that continue."

Mr Faulkner said many of the retailers on site, the big box stores, would be planning sales.

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh said he was anticipating today to be one of the biggest Boxing Days Rotorua had ever seen.

"I think it is going to be huge. The lead up to Christmas this year has been hectic and Boxing Day will be no different.

"Every Boxing Day people go out and spend but this year people have more money to spend which is good for Rotorua and good for Rotorua's retailers."

Smith City Rotorua store manager John Riini said they were expecting today to be "crazy".

"It will be lots of fun with locals and visitors coming out to spend their Christmas vouchers and take advantage of all the sales on offer.

"We have plenty of Boxing Day deals up our sleeve and we cannot wait to share them. With the way things have gone this year, this Boxing Day is shaping up to be the best we have ever had."

But it is not just retailers set to benefit from today's big crowds. Le Cafe De Paris owner Valerie Janin will be one of many cafes, bars and restaurants opening her doors today.

"We open most Boxing Days and are certainly prepared for a busy one.

"When shoppers get tired they can stop in and have a nice coffee and bite to eat with us."

Based on her past experiences, Ms Janin said she would get a good mix of locals and tourists throughout the day.

For those who can't think of anything worse than fighting their way through crowds of shoppers, the weather is looking pretty good this weekend.

MetService has forecast mainly fine weather with a high of 25C today and tomorrow.

Rotorua's lakes are expected to be a popular destination, while the Whakarewarewa Forest would be packed with thrillseekers.

Mountain Bike Rotorua's Tak Mutu said his fleet of 100 mountain bikes were booked out until February.

He said he had just ordered another 12 new bikes which should arrive by the new year.

He expected all of Rotorua's mountain bike trails to be packed with riders today and well into 2016.

"It's going to be an exciting summer for mountain biking in Rotorua."- Additional reporting Matthew Martin