Go Local! Rotorua bookstores liken post-Covid bustle to Christmas period

McLeods Booksellers manager Jemma Morrison. Photo / Shauni James

Rotorua bookshops are grateful for the support they have received post-lockdown, with a couple of them likening the bustle and sales to that of the run-up to Christmas.

McLeods Booksellers manager Jemma Morrison says on a normal weekend at the start of the month, in what is usually one of the quietest parts of the business year, McLeods Booksellers made great sales.

"It was the kind of amount that we would usually make on a day running up to Christmas.

"Even with our shelves depleted and gaps everywhere - because we are still waiting on book orders from overseas - local customers and visitors from around New Zealand came to the bookshop and chose the books that were available."

She says this month McLeods Booksellers is operating on a rise in profit - higher than the same period last year.

"We are not talking about last month. We are comparing with 12 months back when the world and the economic situation was completely different.

"We attribute this amazing phenomenon to the wonderful people from New Zealand supporting local business and helping it to survive."

City Books & Lotto owner/manager Kirsty Evans says they have had a fantastic response from their customers since level 3, when the store was able to do online/click and collect book sales.

"The week we went to level 2 was a bit like Christmas with customers coming in and spending up on books, magazines, puzzles, etc."

Kirsty says she was amazed at the response they had from customers.

"I had a lot of text messages and phone calls throughout all levels which was so heart warming to receive. There is a lot of kindness and support in our local community.

"It is important for the community to continue to support local businesses so that money stays in Rotorua to build local growth and create jobs."

Jemma says McLeods Booksellers is humbled and grateful to see so much support of the local economy and a love for books alive and well.

"Shopping local and supporting the local community and economy is something we have believed in for a long time, it's great to see more people realising how important this is."