CHRISTMAS TRADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 December 1939, Page 6

CHRISTMAS TRADE

BUSINESS REPORTED GOOD RETAILERS INTERVIEWED. GENERAL SATISFACTION RECORDED. Replies made by retailers to enquiries by a -Times-Age” representative this morning as to Christmas trade in Masterton were to the effect that business was quite good and well up to that recorded last year, which was one of the best for some years. Retailers selected at random gave the following replies:— Jeweller: “I am well satisfied. Business is very good and is well up to standard. Last Friday was a 'clinker’ day.” Stationer and fancy goods dealer: "Not bad at all. It may be slightly down on last year, but it is just about as good. The increased postal rates have hit it a bit.” Chemist: “Very good so far and thoroughly satisfactory.” General trader: "It seems to be up to normal and is quite good. We have no complaints." Jeweller: “Great. Under present conditions it is rather good and is somewhere up to last year’s level. Last year was a very good one and so far business is just a little short of it.” Draper: “Quite good. No complaints at all. Quite cheerful.”

Department store: "Not so bad. Could be a little better but it is coming away with a bit of a last-minute rush, though it is just about on a par with last year.” Draper and fancy goods dealer: “Very good and better than last year, especially in fancy goods. We are also showing an improvement in men’s goods. We had an increase of 50 per cent in fancy goods on Friday last compared with the corresponding day last year. Last week was quite good and if this week is as good we won’t say a word at all.”