Editorial: Positive signs for retailers

Some of my most favourite times are shopping with my mother.

She lives in Timaru and (thankfully for our bank balances) we don't get to do it as much as we would like.

But when we do, we make a decent job of it.

The two of us get tarted up, wear our high shoes (in case we are buying going-out pants) and hit the streets and malls with a spring in our step that's like a child on Christmas morning.

After a few hours, we go for lunch, before continuing on. Then after another few hours, it's time for coffee and cake as a refresher before we finish off the last of our purchases.

We stagger back to the car carrying arm loads of bags.

You can't beat that experience. Online shopping doesn't come close.

Retailers are going through tough times at the moment when you add up the recession, a drive to buy online and other rising costs (including rates hikes and insurance premiums).

For some, it's getting too tough and they are shutting up shop. The sight of empty buildings in our central city is becoming all too familiar.

But last month there were some positive signs. The latest Paymark retail spending figures reported in our business section today show a slight rise.

In June last year, retail consumers spent $220.4 million. Last month, this had risen to $227 million - a rise of $6.6 million.

For the sake of our struggling retailers, here's hoping this is a sign of future growth. It would be a sad day if the internet ever took over our shopping experience.

I can't see my mother and I having as much fun sitting on the couch with our slippers on and our iPads on our laps.

What do you think?

Email editor@dailypost.co.nz, text DP then your message to 021 241 4568, or write to editor, PO Box 1442, Rotorua.