“BETTER THAN XMAS EVE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 544, 22 December 1928, Page 8

“BETTER THAN XMAS EVE”

GREAT SHOPPING THIRS YESTERDAY’S RECORD SAW Optimism is abroad among the shopkeepers; Christmas shopping is up and past the figures for last year already, and Monday is expected to be another bumper day. “We have never had so many people in the store before,” said the manager of one of the city’s largest firms, when he was asked about yesterday’s business. “And the sales were even better than last Christmas Eve. All day long. from early morning, the crowds swarmed into all floors. The buying of more substantial presents, like clothing and hair-brushes, rather than the usual knick-knacks, is evident this year.” CHILDREN’S DAY Another big departmental store found that yesterday was children’s day. Three or four hundred kiddies filled the roof garden, where the toy cars and runabouts did a bigger mileage than they had done for the rest of the year. Outside the store the new parking area for real motors was almost filled for the first time on record. This morning business showed no sign of slackening. Foodstuffs and supplies were being bought in large Quantities for bach and fishing expedition and motoring trip. Hundreds of people were getting clear to-day for their holidays; these were the lucky teachers, lawyers, and those of other professions who have put up notices, “Closed until January —.” This lias been the day for remembering all the people one should have sent presents to and didn’t. Lastminute attempts to make good the laps© were evident in the hurried, flurried behaviour of shoppers. The streets were full, the shops were crowded, and the air was summer-hot, but everyone was happy.