Shopping the number one Kiwi pastime

Media release - Newmarket Business Association

1 January 2006

Sales success confirms shopping the number one Kiwi pastime

The overwhelming success of retailers' ongoing Boxing Day sales despite growing economic pessimism cements the status of shopping as New Zealanders' favourite recreational activity, says the country's leading retailing district.

"The week of sales we've had since Christmas have produced some very happy retailers, with some talking of record takings," said Cameron Brewer, head of the Newmarket Business Association.

"The past week has proven that shopping remains the number one recreational activity for Kiwis across the board. Shopping is also the safest activity to partake in this summer. It carries a lot less risks than the likes of swimming and sun-tanning. In fact it comes with so many positives including social interaction, the burning of calories, and it positively contributes to the economy unlike most other recreational activities.

"We encourage people to keep safe this summer by going shopping. It really gets the step-ometers going, the risks are minimal, and the advantages are quantitative."

Mr Brewer said given the huge number of recreational shoppers on our streets this summer it is very encouraging that so few are struck down by illness, accident or sudden death.

"It is a fact that it is a lot safer walking on the footpath than driving down the road. It's also important that New Zealanders' keep their chins up and ensure all the doom and gloom predicted for 2006 does not become some self-fulfilling prophecy.

"For the sake of all New Zealanders' physical health and the country's economic well-being lets make a collective New Year's resolution to keep the money-go-round going around.

"Don't believe the economists. They're like accountants but they have less personality," concluded Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

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