SPENDING local is the name of the game for Christmas shoppers this year, as Sunraysia stores report record sales in the last-minute retail rush.
With big buys like overseas holidays off the cards, many people have been redirecting their funds back home and local stores have been feeling the love.
Popular gifts under the tree this year will be homewares, gadgets, jewellery and fashion, as well as books and giftwares.
Mildura City Heart manager Danielle Hobbs said while the Christmas shopping period had got off to a late start, the past few weeks had more than made up for the dip in sales.
“Black Friday has encouraged shoppers to come out in the past few years, but I think many traders were hesitant to hold those sales because of the economic uncertainty,” she said.
“So it has been a bit more of a December trade, but from traders I’ve spoken to, some have told me that they’ve had all time sales records.
“So that supporting local business sentiment has been really high.”
Mildura Central’s Leigh Fuller said the centre had also seen the number of shoppers rise when compared to the same time last year, as families stayed home for the festive season.
While gift shopping was usually wrapped up by December 23, Mr Fuller said he was expecting a last-minute food and homewares shop on Christmas Eve, as well as a massive influx of shoppers on Boxing Day.
“That is certainly our busiest day of the year and there certainly be a lot of bargains to be had,” he said.
“So we’re really looking forward to it.”
