Shops defy odds to hold their own – despite Big Chill

Date Published: 22-Dec-2010

By Dara Bradley

Galway’s shops have defied the Big Chill and the odds – to keep their Christmas season takings on a par with last year, despite weather conditions that made it impossible for some shoppers to travel into town from around the county.

And businesses are hoping for the bonus of a last-minute spending splurge as they head into the remaining two days of Christmas trading.

Many of Galway City’s flagship retail stores are reporting that the ‘spend’ this Christmas has held steady despite the freezing conditions of the past month, although they are banking on a spending bonanza today and Christmas Eve, traditionally two of the busiest retail days of the year.

The ‘big freeze’ has kept some shoppers away but items such as heaters and electric blankets have been ‘flying out the doors’. Retailers are also hoping for a bonanza in the January Sales, if the expected thaw comes and shoppers return ‘in droves’ to the city.

Chairman of the Galway City Business Association, Paul Faller of Faller’s Jewellers on Williamsgate Street said the ‘Christmas spend’ has held steady this year, although he is hoping the traditional late splurge’ will come in the two days before Christmas Day, traditionally the busiest of the year in terms of sales.

“There’s nothing abnormal so far in terms of spend – it’s on a par with last year. One third of our sales for the year are in December and one third of that comes in the week before Christmas Day. The day before Christmas Eve is our busiest day of the year, so the next couple of days are vital,” he said yesterday.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.