WONDERFULLY GOOD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 December 1942, Page 2

WONDERFULLY GOOD

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TRADE IN MASTERTON. KEEN DEMAND FOR AVAILABLE GOODS. Retail traders in Masterton report that Christmas trade is booming. There is a free flow of spending, and difficulties arise only on account of the limited stocks of goods available. “Trade is wonderfully good,” said the principal of a business house this morning. In the last two days the departmental figures were one-third up on those of last year. There was little booking, and there was plenty of cash about. There is every prospect of the present good position continuing over the rest of the Christmas shopping period. It is interesting to note how people are now buying goods they would not have considered before, because they are coupon free. “Considering the many shortages, trade seems good,” observed another business man. He added that although many lines such as tinned foodstuffs were in short supply, there were in most cases other items to take their place. Hosiery sales were restricted, as most of the coupons had already been cashed. It was fortunate that handkerchiefs had been placed on the couponfree list, as many thousands had been sold. Present trends indicated that last year's figures would be exceeded.