BUSINESS has been brisk for local shops, with the last push toward Christmas well underway. The question is, what is that have-to-have gift this year and what products are whisking off the shelves?
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Harvey Norman computer franchisee, David Risby said Bluetooth speakers have been very popular in 2014. Keeping track of your vitals, steps and sleep are also winners.
“Activity trackers for general health and fitness, so things that count your steps though the day, count calories burnt and just general activity,” David said.
Shabu salon owner Ian Hooker said he worked on Sunday to stay ahead of demand from customers wanting their perfect holiday style. He said the salon was selling handfuls of vouchers that are already being turned in for appointments.
Kelly Horner has only recently opened pour le bonheur, and said she has already sold out some of her first lot of stock of wallets for teenagers. She said the big sellers have been bed linens but surprisingly, it was some shop light fixtures to show off her beds on display that proved a hit.
“The lights have been really popular, so I’ll make sure I have a really nice range of lights,” she said.
Strolling down Otho Street, Arthur Parker, manager of Highland Cycles said bicycles have been big this year, breaking last year’s records.
Magnolia owner, Cheryelle Dowsley said customers were buying clothing, fragrances, diffusers and a lot of jewellery. She said the tradition of giving Pandora charms is still popular.
“There’s a whole new generation coming through all the time and they want to collect.
“They make a storyline out of their bracelet,” she said.
Farmhouse manager, Angela Timu said their condiments and sauces, and knives by Scanpan and Victorinox were popular, but wine glass coolers designed by two sisters in Victoria are notably big with shoppers.
“They have been super sellers. They’ve got funky little girly quotes on them. It’s fun for those friends that love their wine,” she said. Toys are always the gift that symbolises Christ-mas, and Young World owner Todd Dowsley said sales have been steady across the board, but there is one product that tops all the lists.
“Kinetic Sand has probably been my most popular product. I’ve probably sold hundreds of kilos of that,” he said.
Todd said he took precautions after selling out of the product mid-year to meet the predicted Christmas demand.
“Basically I planned and organised my year how it was going to be with that stuff. So I ordered up big for this Christmas period.”
