Customers brave the weather for Boxing Day sales
Friday, 27 December 2024
Poor weather did not discourage enthusiastic shoppers on the hunt for a Boxing Day bargain in Dunedin.
While George St may have appeared quieter than expected under grey skies yesterday, stores and malls were teeming with locals, holiday-makers and cruise ship passengers.
Otago Sports Depot owner Brent Davies said the weather had driven people off the streets and into stores.
Some were there to exchange gifts, others were drawn in by sales or were looking for something to spend their Christmas money and gift vouchers on.
The depot had received a few online orders, but there were still people who wanted to "touch, feel, try on" the goods, Mr Davies said.
"And people want it now."
Sales were on par with last year, which had been a "good December", he said.
Highlanders and Otago Rugby merchandise and Birkenstocks were in demand this year.
"[We are selling] a little cricket [gear] even though it's not cricket weather."
He expected business to slow down after the festive period, but hoped cruise ships passengers would boost sales, he said.
Warehouse South Dunedin store manager Deon Nieuwoudt said the store had been at "full throttle" yesterday.
Televisions, technology and outdoor gear were popular purchases, he said.
"It's fantastic to see the holiday shopping buzz in full swing."
In George St, shopper Jess Stumbles, of Dunedin, said Boxing Day shopping had become a tradition with her and her friends.
"We're just having a browse," she said.
"We always go shopping on Boxing Day."
Fellow shopper Annalise Baxter said she preferred shopping in person, but anything she could not find in-store, she would hunt down online.
"[I'll] go out first, online after," she said.
The friends had not set out with any particular purchases in mind, but were keen to spend money they had received at Christmas.
So far, they had bought clothes and a Bluetooth speaker.
In Invercargill, stores reported a slow start to the day.
JB Hi-Fi manager Tony Keay said it was the first Boxing Day for the store, which opened in January.
He had been unsure what to expect, but was anticipating sales would pick up later in the day.
Trade Me spokeswoman Emma Bacon said by 10am yesterday, more than 4600 unwanted gifts and "Christmas clangers" had been listed on the auction website.
- Additional reporting Toni McDonald
