Black Friday marks one of the busiest shopping days of the year but Retail NZ says there's a sense of gloom throughout Wellington's CBD.
For most retailers across the country, the Christmas shopping period officially begins today with Black Friday sales.
However, Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford said Wellington retailers have lower expectations this year.
"In an ordinary year we'd expect today to be when things really ramp up for the Christmas period, but this year will be very different.
"More and more people are working from home after Covid and don't come into the city, both because they're nervous and also online shopping is becoming more popular."
"Central Wellington retailers are feeling pretty gloomy heading into Christmas. Businesses here are under huge pressure and we need more people to be able to easily come back into the city and shop."
![Retail NZ Greg Harford said central Wellington retailers have lower expectations this year for Black Friday. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/RBYIS5JPW5X6M77HHT4PRL674I.jpg?auth=99daad339f45b5e5bbdd9110829badb80a1a97b1923841d0fcbc0ead72c98cbd&width=16&height=9&quality=70&smart=true)
But Harford said plans by Let's Get Wellington Moving to remove cars from the CBD will do the opposite of that, and is only further dampening the Christmas spirit.
"We're already hearing retailers are either looking to end their leases or not continue them. There's huge uncertainty because of Let's Get Wellington Moving. It will make it harder and less viable for businesses to operate.
"Customers need to be able to actually get here, and want to be able to get here. The underlying economics of running a store in central Wellington is changing. Customers aren't shopping in-store the way they used to."