Some support for Sunday shopping

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 389, 4 June 1991, Page 1

Some support for Sunday shopping

A recent survey of Ohakune retailers has shown a small majority of shops would be willing to open Sundays in the ski season. The survey asked a number of questions about extended shopping hours in the ski season and of the replies from 11 existing shops who replied, six said they would look at opening selected Sun-

days, eg mid-term break and the school holidays and closed mountain days. Of those who said no, comments included "Not interested. If we can't make it in six days we won't make it in seven." and "...it must be remembered that the retailers are in service 52 weeks of the year, mostly six days a week." The retailers were asked what they thought

of all-day trading on Saturday s, and of the replies most were in •favour with many al-

. ready open for all or part of Saturday. Of those who objected Turnpage2

Some support for Sunday shopping

From page 1 to all day Saturday trading, one said people •coming off the mountain tended to only spend money on food and drink. They were happy to open Saturday momings. Another suggested opening 4pm to 7pm on

selected weekends. Retailers were asked their thoughts on extended trading hours during the peak of the ski season, with 9am to 8pm suggested.. Of those who weren't already open similar hours the response was largely negative. Some sug-

gested extending hours to 6pm in the early part of the week with longer hours later in the week. Promotions meetings for the retail sector were also suggested with all respondents in favour, Comments includcd "two or three markct days a year is probably

sufficient" and "the most necessary thing during the peak periods is entertainment and activities at low or moderate cost in which people can join in the evenings and in inclement weather. When the skifield first opened the Ohakune 3000 Club ran

a two-week entertainment programme called 'the August Scene' with activities every day and every evening. This was extremely popular as it gave visitors the opportunity to join in social occasions with local people and enjoy 'country' pursuits."