MOUNT Gambier retailers are reporting a bumper festive shopping period, which is expected to hit fever pitch over the next few days.
While today’s scorching 45-degree forecast may slow the Christmas shopping momentum, it is expected to rebound over the weekend.
With carparks across the city jampacked and many stores swarming with customers, Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce president Hayley Neumann said retailers appeared pleased with the festive shopping trends.
The business leader urged people to shop local given the retail sector was the largest employer in Mount Gambier.
“I have been chatting to businesses and everyone is really positive,” Ms Neumann said yesterday.
“While the heat does not help, shoppers have been coming out early to beat the heat and get their jobs done.”
With just six days until Christmas Day, Ms Neumann predicted a last minute rush by shoppers in the city’s central retail strips and shopping centres.
“Professional services are winding up now and people will do their last-minute shopping, especially now school has finished,” she said.
“The roads are busy and car parks are hard to find, which is a good sign.”
Conceding the online shopping phenomenon was impacting on some bricks and mortar retailers, she urged people to try and shop locally and ask businesses to order in certain products.
“We cannot stop internet shopping, but if you cannot find something you are looking for in the city then ask the shops. But it is getting too late to buy online for Christmas, so shop local,” Ms Neumann said.
A number of retailers have extended their shopping hours over the Christmas shopping rush, which includes tomorrow and Sunday.
“Businesses who are opening Sunday should be advertising that and making sure we all know. We will not shop on Sunday unless we know they are open,” she said.
Ms Neumann said the retail sector underpinned Mount Gambier’s economy and was important for the social fabric of the community.
“Local retailers support our local community – they are the ones who support local sporting and community clubs,” the chamber leader said.
With the year drawing to a close, Ms Neumann said it had been a positive year for the Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce and the city’s retail landscape.
“There has been a lot of new coffee shops opening, the development at Commercial Street East and new shops opening at Mount Gambier Marketplace, which is great to see,” she said.
“Commercial Street East is really busy with the opening of Aldi, but Commercial Street West has a few empty shops.”
In a positive sign, she said the former Sportspower store had been leased to a new tenant.
“Hopefully, that means there are exciting things to come.”
Ms Neumann said the Coles development was poised to start next year, which would create further economic activity and retail positivity.
Commercial Street retailer Christine Try – who operates DJ Interiors – said she was thrilled with the Christmas trade.
“We have been really busy and pleased how the Christmas trade has gone this year,” Ms Try said.
She said the Christmas shopping trend kicked off in October amid an increase in shoppers.
“We have had a really good run into Christmas. Everyone has been positive, lots of people seem happy and are happy with their purchases,” Ms Try said.
While hot weather could affect the shopping trend, she said it did not stop some people from hitting the shops.
“There are only a few days to go, so people are still doing their last minute shopping. We are expecting tomorrow and Sunday to be really crazy,” Ms Try said.
She said she was among traders who were extending their opening hours over the weekend.
