Editorial: Relief for our retailers

Retailers were rushed of their feet in the lead up to Christmas. Photo/Thinkstock

No doubt Bay retailers will be breathing a sigh of relief after the splurge in spending in the lead-up to Christmas.

It's no secret that the past few years have been challenging for shop owners in the city. Businesses have had to grapple with a drop in spending due to the recession and a general move to online shopping.

Families, understandably in tough times, closed their wallets because they were uncertain about what the future might hold.

However, the latest Paymark figures suggest that consumers, who cut back on discretionary spending are now more confident about the economy and their own financial position.

This resulted in a "record-smashing" spending spree on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

The December surge capped the fastest year of spending growth since the recession, with $49.3 billion in transactions made nationally during 2013, up 0.2 per cent on the previous year.

Bay of Plenty shoppers spent more than $336 million in December, up 7.5 per cent on the same period last year.

Pet stores recorded some of the month's highest growth, along with sporting and camping equipment retailers and furniture stores.

The hospitality sector also enjoyed a 9.5 per cent spike in spending.

While I do not hold out too much hope that the recent spending trend will halt the march towards online shopping, it will have helped ease the pressure on city retailers, particularly in the downtown.

It is important we, as a community, support local businesses. They employ people, support other businesses and grow the local economy.