Retailers expect bumper summer

SANTA SELFIE: Santa called into Papamoa Plaza yesterday to check out his digs, before taking up residence on December 1, so centre manager David Hill snapped a quick selfie with the big man himself. PHOTO/JOHN BORREN

Santa is due to touch down in Tauranga later this month as shopping centres report record numbers of visitors and strong growth.

Bayfair Shopping Centre manager Kylie McGregor said it expected the number of visits for the year to hit just under 6 million, which would be its busiest year on record.

"That is a great indicator leading into what is traditionally the busiest trading period for the centre. Confidence has remained strong and the outlook leading into Christmas is very positive."

Santa would arrive at his grotto on Saturday, November 21, and children could meet him and receive a gift while photos could be purchased, Ms McGregor said.

"Last year, more than 1800 photos with Santa were purchased and $1 from every photo was donated directly to the nationwide Peace Poppy Project, which commemorated the centenary of Anzac."

Last year, Bayfair also raised more than $10,000 for the local charity organisations and community groups that manned its gift-wrapping station, where people were able to get presents wrapped for a gold coin donation.

"This year, Bayfair is supporting 21 local charitable organisations which will each have the opportunity to man the gift-wrapping stations and benefit from generous locals as they have their gifts wrapped."

More than 5km of wrapping paper was used last year, she said.

Papamoa Plaza centre manager David Hill said the centre was on target to reach 3.5 million visitors by the end of the year, which was another record high.

"We are absolutely on track for the best Christmas ever and I will be saying that next year when we have 20 new shops and the year after that when we have our evening dining and bulk precinct [national retailers] under way.

"I think the future for Papamoa and Papamoa Plaza to 2020 is looking pretty good."

Santa would be stationed at the plaza from December 1 onwards and children could get a free gift and a photo with Santa, he said.

Mr Hill was also encouraging kids to snap a selfie with Santa for the opportunity to win a $100 plaza voucher every day.

Its gift-wrapping station was free with 14km of paper used last year and almost double that ordered this time around, he said.

Bethlehem Town Centre marketing manager Kylea Grayling said Santa would be at Smith City from December 12 with photo options starting from $5 and a gift-wrapping station. Its iconic Christmas tree was due to go up next week, while the Waipuna Hospice Trees of Remembrance would go into Paper Plus, Ms Grayling said.

At the moment, a lot of redevelopment was going on but "everyone has been supportive and are really looking forward to Kmart coming and the Christmas trade".

Mount Mainstreet manager Peter Melgren said, when Santa arrived outside his deck on December 23 and 24, he would be stationed in front of a huge, panoramic backdrop picture taken from the top of the Mount. Parents could take photos of their children with Santa and get a lucky dip.

Business had picked up for retailers, he said.