WHAKATANE RETAILERS HAD OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL CHRISTMAS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 10, 6 January 1948, Page 5

WHAKATANE RETAILERS HAD OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL CHRISTMAS

In spite of the infantile paralysis threat Whakatane retailers report on outstanding financial Christmas and a generally improved turnover on last year. The free flow of money is attributed by many to the recent increase in the price, for dairy produce, the excellent year that has been experienced by most farmers, and prevailing high wage rates. Even though children have been off the streets for some time thers was no marked decrease in the sale of children’s lines, except children’s clothing, which suffered considerably. Men’s clothing was in short supply in such lines as shirts and sportp trousers, and sales consequently restricted. An influx of British mechanical toys found a ready .market, as did travel books and some of the better classes of novels. Due to the dollar position there has been a considerable and a grave shortage of American materials, especially in the cotton lines. This is expected to become more acute within the next year. . Forecasts from the warehouses for the coming year are for rising prices and more pronounced shortages in some retail lines, particularly in the clothing trade.