Adele Croucher, left, and Franky Chanyau. Photo / Jason Oxenham
Adele Croucher, left, and Franky Chanyau. Photo / Jason Oxenham
It is four days to Christmas and the tills are ringing as last-minute shoppers dash to buy presents.
Luckily for them, retailers are giving them ample opportunity, with some keeping their doors open until midnight this week.
Retail New Zealand spokesman Greg Harford said the week before Christmas was generally the busiest in the year and shops would be bustling with people looking for presents.
"Christmas Eve is always the busiest day in the shops for the year. So far it is looking like that [trend] is coming through and shops have been really busy," he said.
"We are looking good for a big shopping day on Thursday ahead of Christmas on Friday."
New spending figures are due to be released tomorrow, and Mr Harford expects them to show that Kiwis are spending much more this year.
"We are certainly looking forward to a pretty busy week this week. There are lots of good deals out there and a number of retailers have got specials on, which is encouraging consumers to hit the shops," he said.
"We also expect, as we saw last year, Boxing Day sales to begin online on Christmas Eve so that customers [can] shop from their home either on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or on Boxing Day to take advantage of those Boxing Day sales we know and love."
For that last-minute dash, shoppers can head to the Sylvia Park mall in Mt Wellington, where stores will be open until midnight each night until the big day.
Have you got all your Christmas shopping done, and if so, what kind of things have you bought for people?
Franky Chanyau, 22, and Adele Croucher, 24, Auckland
"We are actually heading away tonight because we are having an early Christmas, so today is incredibly last-minute shopping," Mr Chanyau said.
"We leave in an hour, so really late. I bought a lot of tech-based gear and some tea for mum. Time was the hardest thing because things are closing now. Other than that it was pretty easy. She [Ms Croucher] is the kind of person who has a list but I just see things and buy them."
Brooke Finlay, 16, Elle Redmond, 15
Elle Redmond, left, and Brooke Finlay. Photo / Jason Oxenham
"This is my first present," Ms Redmond said.
"I have still got a lot to do. I have left things to the last minute. We tried today but didn't really get much done. I got some body stuff for grandma, and I was thinking shoes for my brother and books. I'm not sure though."
"Most of it. I'm not really sure when I will get the rest of it done, I have most of it done. I live on Waiheke Island so it is good to come across and do some shopping. For my main friends I have bought clothing and chocolates - just little things like that."
Jordan Sharko, 22
Jordan Sharko. Photo / Jason Oxenham
"No, I am looking for stuff for my brother but can't find it. He is trying to build a computer but I don't know where to find the things he needs. I'm banking on tomorrow to get it done. I got some stuff from Body Shop for my sister and some shoes for my mum and chocolate for everyone else."
Helen Moon, Jasmine Bang and Hana Park
Hana Park, Jasmine Bang, Helen Moon. Photo / Jason Oxenham
"We just prepared our Christmas presents for each other," Ms Moon said.
"It is exciting. I mainly bought clothing, bags and shoes and a gift for myself."
Michaela Gillingham, Auckland
Michaela Gillingham. Photo / Jason Oxenham
"I just did it all. I like to buy nice kind of expensive, quality gifts. I have left it to the last weekend. This is the last possible day I could have done it. We had to stick to a budget, which was $50 a person, but I have kind of gone over that because I want everyone to like their gifts."
Alexis Smale, Auckland
Alexis Smale. Photo / Jason Oxenham
"I have got it all sorted. Today, I got some Lego for my nephews and beach towels for my niece and nephews. I just decided to get it all done in one hit, and it wasn't too busy."
