Extreme shoppers are emerging this Christmas

Media release

Newmarket Business Association

Sunday, 8 November 2009

Two types of extreme shoppers are emerging this Christmas      

“With little more than six weeks to go until Christmas, now is the time to start putting presents aside, and that’s what many people have already been doing for some time,” says the head of Auckland’s leading shopping district.

“There are going to be two types of Christmas shoppers this year: The people who’ve spread their spending and have been methodically putting presents aside; and the others who are going to hold off until the very last minute,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

“With many shops in an everlasting sale mode as we’ve seen for a staggering 12 months, many people have taken the opportunity to put presents aside when they see something at a great price. A lot of people have simply had to spread their spending out given economic constraints.

“The other type of Christmas shopper this year will be those who are a bit gun-shy and who will hang on their money until they absolutely have to part with it. Putting off the inevitable will probably cause another last minute rush like we saw last year, with Christmas Eve 2008 a record-breaker according to Eftpos provider Paymark. With Christmas this year on a Friday, that last week is going to huge and it’s just six weeks away.

“Shoppers can avoid the pre-Christmas stress very easily, by writing a list and working through it from here on in. Town centres and shopping malls around the country are still boasting plenty of available parking and the atmosphere is stress-free. The most relaxing and enjoyable Christmas shopping will be that done over the next four weeks, and so that’s what we’re encouraging people to do. However trying to encourage middle-ground behaviour this year could be difficult. It’s going to be a Christmas of two halves,” says Cameron Brewer.   

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