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Shoppers are beginning to fill the malls on Boxing Day, while most of the world spends the day distancing themselves socially or shut up.
In Auckland, hundreds of people queued in front of Dress Smart in Onehunga before it opened at 9 a.m. M.
The queues kept growing outside even after the mall opened, as people tried to get in to take advantage of the St. Stephen’s Day sales, with some retailers offering up to 60% off sales.
The mall parking lot was already full at 9am, and traffic was jammed on Arthur St and nearby Church and Galway streets.
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Shoppers like Kara Selai said they had been waiting outside Dress Smart for at least an hour before the mall opened.
Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
Boxing Day shoppers try to get the most out of the sales by starting early at Auckland’s St Lukes Shopping Center.
“I always come to the Boxing Day sales, I love good discounts, so today is a good day for me, even if I have to wait outside for a while to get in,” he said.
“I wanted to make sure I was one of the first to walk in because this place is always crazy.”
Stan Moore from West Auckland said he wanted to see what discounts were applied at Nike and Adidas sports stores.
“I don’t have anything specific that I want to buy, but if I see something really cheap, I could get it.”
CHRIS SKELTON / Things
Shoppers flocked to the Westfield Riccarton Mall in Christchurch for the Boxing Day sales.
In the south, Christchurch’s Westfield Riccarton shopping center was packed to the brim.
Electronics and household goods flew off the shelves, with dozens of shoppers seen sporting yellow bags from JB Hi-Fi or purple bags from Farmers.
Wioterangi Ngarimu said he had been in need of a new electric jug for weeks, but decided to wait until the San Esteban sales.
“We had been using my old paint job for years.”
CHRIS SKELTON / Things
Wioterangi Ngarimu waited until the San Esteban sales to finally buy a good quality teapot.
But he said the line at the JB Hi-Fi electronics store almost put him off.
“It was crazy the line there, people were pushing and cocking … We were debating whether we really needed a kettle.”
For some shoppers, the day was one of fun and games.
CHRIS SKELTON / Things
Makairi, Rohman, Makairi, Madison, and Cordell, with their dad Daniel, were eager to spend their Christmas money.
As parents Daniel and Laura went to the home supply stores to buy a new vacuum cleaner, pots and pans, their children Rohman, Makairi, Cordell and Madison were eager to spend their Christmas money.
Cordell said his loot included treats like water balloons, chocolates and a basketball, while Rohman received a new Nerf gun.
Makairi saw his Christmas bonus as more of an investment: choosing to buy a metal detector.
“I want to go to the beach and put it on the sand … and look for treasures, money and things.”
Cameron Burnell / Stuff
First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson said 2020 had been a strong year for New Zealand retailers.
First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson said this year had been a strong one for retailers and many did not need to offer deep discounts.
“We have had a good run. Christmas Eve was strong and Boxing Day started out very strong, ”Wilkinson said.
Last month, shoppers spent more than $ 650 million during the Black Friday weekend, 4% more than in 2019, according to Paymark.
New Zealand retailers were in the spotlight this year, he said, as more kiwis bought locally.
TORIKA TOKALAU / Things
Shoppers outside Dress Smart in Auckland on December 26.
He said bad weather in some parts of the country also helped retail, as people traded a day at the beach for a store inside.
“It is a very different Christmas this year than before. People spend on things that make them feel good. “
Wilkinson said clothing, gardening and home goods stores have been popular until now.
Ross Giblin / Stuff
Shoppers start lining up for Boxing Day deals outside PB Tech in Wellington.
Retail NZ CEO Greg Harford said most of the Boxing Day deals started on Christmas Eve online.
“The run up to Boxing Day has been solid. Spending during December has been positive, ”Harford said.
Trade told me that at 8am this morning there were 4400 unwanted gifts for sale on the website.
Spokesperson Millie Silvester says they include a Mazda Demio in the wrong color, an “S # £% piece” from a Christmas cookie and a pair of Apple Airpods Pro from a father whose daughter insisted she would prefer the standard version. .
Harford said spending on luxury and high-end items had also increased, as Covid-19 forced most people to save on international travel.
For a couple out shopping in Rotorua on December 26, it was all about Christmas 2021.
When the couple, who did not want to be named, left Kmart, a Santa figurine fell out of their cart, only to be picked up and placed back with the rest of Santa’s, reindeer, wrapping paper, cards and tinsel.
Benn Bathgate / Stuff
Rotorua’s Torpedo 7 store was so busy on Boxing Day that the manager said he just didn’t have time to talk to Stuff.
“Today is more of a bargain. This was half price,” said one of the couple.
While the streets of Rotorua were packed with shoppers, those engaged in outdoor activities seemed to have the boxes ringing louder.
“We’re definitely up there, the trade is good,” said Game and Fish manager Mike, who declined to give his last name.
Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
Shoppers at the David Jones department store in Auckland.
He said it was too early to say how the day’s trading would compare to last Boxing Day, but said the day had been “pretty solid.”
Similar busy scenes were witnessed in Kathmandu and Macpac.
Rotorua Torpedo 7 was so busy when Stuff called the manager and apologized, but said there was no way he could speak.
