MILDURA retailers have reported strong sales this Christmas period despite data showing a nation-wide decrease in seasonal spending.
The Australian Retailers Association reported the total outlay in the November to Christmas trading period was $67.4 billion, up 1 per cent on last year, however due to rising cost of goods in real terms spending was down.
Despite this local Mildura businesses have had a successful season so far.
Mildura’s House Of B.L.K owner Katerina Stephens said the business had experienced strong sales throughout December.
“We have had a roaring trade it has been great, we have been really busy,” she said.
“We are seeing over 200 people a day through the door and are making over 100 sales, it has been busy since the start of December, but we also had a busy November.
“I don’t think the cost-of-living pressures has affected sales, people are still spending their money, buying Kris Kringle gifts, cookware, coffee cups, dinner sets and things to get ready for Christmas.”
Ms Stephens said she had seen sales improve on last Christmas.
“We only opened two weeks before Christmas last year, but we are definitely exceeding trade from last year,” she said.
“We are busier this year because people know we are here, last year we weren’t as well-known, but people know to come here now.”
Karma Kameleon owner Gabby Cox reported similar results, claiming she was “pleasantly surprised” with sales so far.
“It has been really great, I was a little bit worried going into Christmas this year due to the economic climate that has been blasted all over the news but so far so good, it has been terrific,” she said.
“This year is up on last year.
“Last year was down because of the floods which affected tourism and saw a big downturn in the foot traffic in Mildura.
“We find that tourists start arriving from September school holidays and you always see the kick off of sales leading into Christmas and last year that didn’t happen.
“We have had a constant flow of costumers coming through all day every day and we are very thankful to the locals and the tourists.”
Across Australia, around $27 billion is forecast to be forked out on food, a lift of 3.2 per cent on last year accounting for most of the spend.
Department-store spending was set to rise three per cent, followed by a 1.6 per cent lift in spending on recreational goods, books and cosmetics.
The outlay on clothing was expected to tick up 0.6 per cent.
Meanwhile, spending on household goods was forecast to fall three per cent, while spending on hospitality was tipped to decline 1.5 per cent.
The peak body’s chief executive, Paul Zahra, said household budgets had been being impacted by high living costs.
“The slight increase in spending this year is being inflated by unavoidable supply chain price increases, particularly in food, and an overall increase in Australia’s population,” he said.
“If you exclude these factors, overall Christmas spending is in decline.”
