Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 - 1954), Tuesday 23 December 1952, page 1


SHOPPING RUSH NOT SO BAD THIS YEAR'. SMany Doing (hristmas

hopping Erli The last minute Christmas rus will be on in Horsham this week. But many shopkeepers do not expect it to be as pronounced as in former years. The reason is not the high prices. It appears that Horsham and district people are spreading their Christmas shopping out and the "getting in early" idea is becoming more general. .

The manager of a Ilorshamn firm said yesterday that he could remember the year when Christmas Eve was one of the liuslest times for shop employees. "In those days, all buying neemed to be done In the last minutes," he said. But l:e was confident that would not happen this Christmas. Buying had been "fairly solid" In the last few weeks and people were realislng that they benefitted by buying, their Christmas gifts early. Reports from Horsham shops indicate nothing abnormal about this year's Christmas shopping. Sports, Rush One sports shop manager said there had been a buying panic over the last fortnight. All sporting material, including cricket bats, tennis balls and others had sold rapidly. .There had also been a heavy demand for some of .the larger- .jtems including refrigerators 'iinct' 'washing machines. He did not think that the high costs were affecting purchases.

:"Some people moan a: bit, but when they want something, especially for' their children, the purchase is usually, made," he said. In Horsham yesterddy afternoon, shop employees were kept busy with a constant stream of shoppers, All departments were kept busy, especially the lingerie sections -A Horsham florist said there had been a marked increase in the sale of flowers for Christmas. Those selling well were gladiolis and regal lilies. She added that more than 50 dozen gladiolis would be handled today and tomorrow. The toy display. by Horsham shops is probably the best in the city's history. Toys are becoming more mechanised each year and as a result, the prices are higher. There has been great emphasis in Horsham on colorful children's picture books. ,Attrgctive,, npve)s are. ,also presngts popular asl Chrls' presents.