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Source: www.gympietimes.com.au

Gympie business sales record strong sales thwart gloom
Carly Morrissey | 2nd January 2009

CHRISTMAS trading in Gympie has outdone optimistic forecasts to become the best-ever year for sales for most businesses.

Centro Gympie has seen its best sales and foot traffic figures this Christmas since opening just over one year ago.

Marketing manager Kellie Stewart said despite worldwide economic stress, local Gympie shoppers had outdone themselves.

Ms Stewart said the number of people shopping at Centro was up almost four per cent on the same period last year, drawing shoppers from north to Maryborough, south to Nambour and west to Kingaroy.

“Centro Gympie has had an excellent December period and, while we are still waiting for overall sales to be confirmed, preliminary indicators are showing that we are considerably up on the same period last year,” she said.

Big W sold more than 18,000 toys, 11,000 DVDs, 13,000 rolls of Christmas wrapping paper and 9000 decorations.

Shaw's Meats sold more than two-tonnes of sausages in the five days preceding Christmas and Centro's food court Sushi Bar cooked up 800 kilograms of rice during December.

Centro's Santa was visited by more than 2500 children in 17 days - 26 children an hour - and more than 700 Santa photos were taken.

Meanwhile, VALCAM volunteers wrapped more than 10,000 Christmas presents raising $9999 for local charities.

Gloria Jeans' figures indicated a 26 per cent increase on the same period last year with about 10,000 drinks and 3000 cakes sold.

Donut King owner Angelo Romeo conservatively estimated more than 10,000 donuts were sold.

“Where is this recession they are talking about because we haven't seen it in Gympie yet,” he said.

Gympie Market Place's Cornett's Supa IGA sold in excess of 300 kilos of prawns on Christmas Eve.

Store manager Terry Schiffke said trading in the two weeks leading up to Christmas was extremely good.

“We were happy. We added the seafood department this year; it gave us an edge this Christmas,” he said.

Rainbow Beach's IGA also reported higher Christmas sales, store manager Liam Gray saying it was the busiest on record.

“And it doesn't seem to be letting up any time soon,” he said.

Melco Mitre 10's retail department celebrated a record day the Monday before Christmas, with 734 customers, beating their overall sales record by $500.

Assistant manager Madonna Hillcoat said the week had been flat out and they needed to borrow gift cards from their other outlet after selling out on Christmas Eve.

Mary Street retailer Dick Smith also saw an increase in trade. Assistant manager John Nelson said he did fantastic trade this Christmas, “sales are definitely up from last year”.

Goldfields Fullife Pharmacy owner David Dixon said he had extremely strong figures for the period and sales of skin care, perfumes and sunscreens were all up.


Ends.

Cheers, Pie :)