Bay shoppers splash out $77m pre Christmas

Foot traffic is expected to hit record levels at Bayfair and Christmas seems to have arrived early at the mall, says centre manager Steve Ellingford. Photo / John Borren

Bay shoppers have spent $77 million in the first week of December, new figures show - and Tauranga shopping centres are predicting bumper sales.

Data from the Paymark network reveals from December 1 to December 7 spending had jumped 8.2 per cent in the Bay of Plenty compared to the same time last year and it was the fifth biggest spending region behind Auckland ($497 million), Canterbury ($139 million), Wellington ($112 million) and Waikato ($85 million).

There were 1.6 million transactions in the Bay, an increase of 9.8 per cent, and Paymark chief executive Mark Rushworth said the volume of traffic boded well for the Christmas retail season.

Bayfair centre manager Steve Ellingford said it expected to set a new visitor number record this year and all signs were pointing to a great Christmas and holiday period following favourable trading.

Bayfair had seen foot traffic hit record numbers this year, he said. "It also seems as though Christmas has arrived earlier with record numbers through our doors in October and November."

Confidence had remained strong and retailers were positive as they headed into the busiest month of the year, he said.

Hours were also set to be extended from Monday to December 23 when the mall would be open until 9pm to cater for the influx of holiday makers.

"The additional shopping time is bound to increase our figures significantly."

Foot traffic is expected to hit record levels at Bayfair and Christmas seems to have arrived early at the mall, says centre manager Steve Ellingford. Photo / John Borren

Papamoa Plaza centre manager David Hill said it was also likely to set a new foot-count record for 2015 with December numbers already 10 per cent up on the same time last year.

"It's like somebody has flicked the switch and we are on turbo already. We measure the amount of gifts wrapped and the first three days of December were already triple the amount wrapped last year."

The $20 million redevelopment was a third of the way through and retailers were "very happy", he said. By Christmas 2016 he estimated Papamoa Plaza would have another 20 shops.

Mount Mainstreet manager Peter Melgren said the retailers he had spoken to were positive and their figures were up on last year.

There were no retail spaces left and there was a waiting list of businesses wanting to move in while confidence was high due to new developments tabled to start next year, he said.

Mount Maunganui was lucky because visitors and tourists frequented all year and the cruise ships were "just the cream on top of the bun".

"It's hard to put a figure on it and not all shops benefit from it but some do quite well."

They were also not threatened by mall developments and other retail outlets opening up in the region, he said.

Greerton Village centre manager Sally Benning said people "are definitely getting out and shopping for Christmas".

"Retailers are feeling positive because we know sometimes people leave it to the last minute."