Retailers are on track for their biggest December shopping numbers as the Christmas rush begins.
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Australian Bureau of Statistics data released this week revealed October sales figures for most NSW industries were much higher than the same time in 2014.
Albury Central coordinator Sandy Worrell said despite a slower end to November than normal, the city’s trade was reflected in the positive numbers.
“It’s definitely been more buoyant overall than in 2014 and that’s why there’s some expectation for the next few weeks,” she said.
“There’s just a bit of a spring in everybody’s step.”
Sales of electronic goods in NSW rose from $490 million in October 2014 to $547 million in October 2015.
The trend put December on track to beat the previous monthly record of $764 million.
Bing Lee opened its Albury store in October and manager Peter Trounce said the company was confident the electronics market was strong enough to have shops on both side of the border.
“As soon as it clicked over to the first of December, sales increased.” he said.
“Certainly people are out to spend.
“There doesn’t seem to be any hesitation.”
The hot items of the moment were Fitbits and blenders such as the NutriBullet.
“People are getting more conscious about fitness, which is a good thing,” Mr Trounce said.
He said he was not concerned about losing out to internet sales because shoppers tended to use websites as a research tool before physically going into a store.
The NSW book industry was one of the few areas to drop in sales over the past year after pressure from electronic books forced store closures.
Dymocks’ Albury franchise owner David Lewis said businesses that survived the closures were doing well.
His store had bucked the trend with an increase in sales over three years.
“Now it’s ramping up, it will increase 50 per cent next week,” Mr Lewis said.
Books had been a popular last-minute Christmas gift in the past, especially for shoppers on December 23.
Ms Worrell said the break in hot, sunny weather was good for retailers who offered a people a reprieve from the wet.
“Bring on the rain,” she said.
“We are expecting some good sales and the crowds coming in.”
