CHRISTMAS TRADE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2960, 26 December 1916, Page 4

CHRISTMAS TRADE

BUSINESS IN THE CITY

WHAT RETAILERS SAT

Trade in Wellington city during the Christmas season is reported to have been very good indeed from the point of view of the ■ retailer. Some shopkeepers have experienced record gales in spito of tho war, which has caused the withdrawal of many of their customers, and might havo been expected to promote economy on the part o£ those remaining, Business was bo brisk in some lines tfiat there was actual difficulty in coping with the demand during the final stages of the Christmas shopping. "The amount of mones that is being spent ,is simply extraordinary," said ajjo trader on Saturday., "The purchase of gifts for the soldiers does not explain the rush, because most of the things intended for the men were bought weeks ago in order to catch! the mails. The soldiers from the camps are a factor in expanding the Christmas trade locally, but most of: the money is being spent by the ordinary public."

A foaturo of the Christmas shopping thai, attracted attention in Bgveral quarters was the tendency 'of buyers to select more expensive goods'than" in past years. A reflex of this tendency, was: seen in the comparative neglect of some cheap lines, that, according to the experience of other years, should have been popular. Prices are up this Christmas for almost all goods, but tha increased spending power of the community would seem to have outstripped the rising prices, since the demand "has been for the bettor class goods. Tho more expensive classes of toys, silks, leather goods and fancy articles of the higher grades liave all sold particularly well.; One trader mentioned in this connection that the increasing employment' of girls owing to tho enlistment of men. and the improvement of the rates of pay.for girls, wore indicated by the increased spending power of the -young women.

Plum puddines and Christmas cakes, appear to have been ratter less numerous than in previous' years. The drieil fruits are all more expensive than in norma! times, and the spoil of hot weather immediately before Christmas may have discouraged some of the housewives from cookery of the traditional -kind. But the demand s for raisins, almonds, various nuts, and sweets has been very keen. Hams sold very freely, and the demand for- spring lambi was so extensive that tome people who left this part of their shopping too late were They had to' content' themselves with beef or, mutton* But butchers and grocers were well content with the volume of'their business. ,