KEY POINTS:
The blustery wind and drizzly rain didn't stop a few hardy souls venturing out yesterday for some traditional Labour Day retail therapy and bargain-hunting.
But business wasn't exactly booming when the Herald visited Auckland's shopping mecca Newmarket yesterday afternoon.
Andrea Biani area manager Dennis Shine said business had been pretty average for the whole weekend.
"There was a hiss and a roar [yesterday] morning but it's a very quiet Labour weekend. A lot of people went away."
He said the bad weather was dampening summer shoe sales. "We need a couple of weeks of sunshine."
Similarly, Sunglass Bar retail assistant Maria Munkowits said it hadn't been particularly busy over the weekend.
"The weather hasn't helped, being a sunglasses store. We get more customers when it's sunny."
But Julie Beck didn't let the weather hold her back. She was out shopping yesterday with her daughters Mollie and Lydia, buying clothes and jewellery.
"We don't usually go away ... It's an opportunity for us to go shopping. No work, an extra day. We left the boys at home. It's quite quiet so it's nice. I think everybody has gone out of Auckland."
Newmarket Business Association general manager Cameron Brewer said business hadn't been spectacular over the long weekend, but it wasn't expected to be. "In Newmarket we have a pretty high socio-economic shopper. A lot of our shoppers have baches and go away for Labour weekend, so it's not usually a strong weekend for us."
He said the bad weather delayed people going out and updating their summer wardrobes. Other factors such as increased petrol prices and interest rates would also put some people off shopping, Mr Brewer said.
"The latest Statistics New Zealand retail figures showed a softening in spending in August and September across the Auckland region."
Mark and Eva Milanowiki, who come from Poland but live in Henderson, decided to spend the day in Newmarket "killing time and spending money".
"The weather is like it is so we can't mow the lawns, so we thought we will go shopping," said Mr Milanowiki.
The couple, who said they hadn't seen many Labour Day specials, bought a pair of shoes and a dress for Mrs Milanowiki.
Michael and Hue Bullen, both optometrists, were out shopping for a yoga mat. "We normally have Mondays off anyway, so it's like an ordinary weekend for us," said Mr Bullen.
"It's a bit busier than usual for a Monday, especially for parking."
Michael Hill Jeweller and Dick Smith Electronics at Sylvia Park said business had been slightly better than usual.
Stirling Sports at Westfield St Lukes said Saturday had been average, Sunday had been so-so, but yesterday had been very busy.
"Overall it's been better than expected," said an employee.
Wild Pair assistant manager Erina Mackie said Saturday was busy, Sunday had been really quiet, but yesterday had been busier than a normal Monday. "But [yesterday] wasn't as busy as we'd expected."
