Retailers report late shopping surge

CHRISTMAS (C)RUSH:RETAILERS HAVE reported a late upsurge after a slow December as last-minute Christmas shoppers were still seeking bargains on the streets of Dublin yesterday.

"It started very slow in December but over the last week or so it has picked up dramatically," said Willie Kinsella, owner of Chapters bookshop on Parnell street.Despite having a record day of sales last Saturday, December turnover was down overall compared to last year.

"This is the first time in 10 years we have even been down for a single month," Mr Kinsella said of a period which can count for up to one-third of turnover.

Customers were also looking for good deals. "Bargain was a dirty word two years ago, now we are starting to call them special offers," he said.

A sharp decline in last-minute impulse buys has also hit sales.

"People are coming in with lists knowing what they want," John Gannon, manager at Chapters said. "Last year people would see something and buy it, but people are being more specific. There is definitely a change in mentality."

Despite the late increase in trade in December, it has been a difficult time for retailers.

"Three months ago I was really worried we'd have to close," said Fadila Byrne, manager of Savage and Skunk Funk independent clothing shops in Millennium Walkway, "but in the past two weeks sales have gone up, but they are only two-thirds of what they were last year.

Ken Peat, who runs 11 electronics shops across Dublin, said: "We've noticed it's been busy for the last week or so, but people have still been checking what value is out there."

He has seen an increase in footfall and huge demand for new gadgets like the Sony e-reader, but overall sales were bad, he said.

A downturn has hit many types of retailers, as Carl Rowan, who has been selling boxes of chocolates at a Moore Street stall for the last 20 years, said: "This is the worst Christmas ever, business is terrible." The late Christmas shoppers were still being very cautious yesterday.

"I am watching money for later with the way the economy is going. I am keeping the reins on it," said Betty McDonald, a shopper on Henry Street. "They are practically giving stuff away. I waited until this time because I reckoned prices would drop."

James Lumsden, a shopper on Grafton Street, also waited until the last minute to get discounts, "It kind of paid off as well. I bought this shirt in Brown Thomas at 30 per cent off."

"I am being more careful and have not gone as crazy as other years," Pamela Henry said as she rested her bags in the Jervis shopping centre in Dublin.

Treasa Ó Coileáin was "blown away" by the value she got when shopping in the Grafton street area.

"I just bought a pair of shoes similar to a pair I bought five years ago at about the same price," she said. "I do think people are talking about being more careful, but look around, the place is buzzing."

While many shoppers were anticipating the "real" bargains in January, retailers said these discounts were already available.

"I don't think 20 per cent coming off the price of a shirt is real value," said Edmund McDonnell, a Grafton Street shopper. "Hopefully there's proper sales in January."