Retailers enjoy late Christmas shopping rush

Retailers enjoy late Christmas shopping rush

Retailers and service providers report mixed messages, and it is difficult to ascertain exactly what demand and sales have been like so far.

Jersey Chamber of Commerce high street spokesman David Agnes said that until last week sales had definitely been slower than in 2002, but trading has picked up significantly this week.’There are three days next week, which means one more day than last year, and we are hopeful that we shall really see the rush then.

However, it’s difficult to say what the situation is until we are able to look at figures at the end of December,’ he said.Mr Agnes said that the two Sundays when town was open were very good for business.

He added that the Chamber of Commerce would probably push for Sunday opening for the whole of December next year.

Department store Voisins report cheaper items such as small gifts and accessories selling well, but demand for more expensive ones has not been so strong.General manager Tom Brown said that the extra shopping days in the run-up to Christmas this year might have meant people leaving it later to do their shopping.But he also believes that the downturn in the finance industry is having an effect on sales.

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