Hunter stores and shopping centres are gearing up for a busy Christmas as consumers shrug off their financial blues with some retail therapy.
A survey conducted by Deloitte and the Australian Retailers Association, released yesterday, revealed that 68 per cent of consumers plan to spend the same or more this festive season compared with last year.
With 30 days to Christmas, Hunter retailers are optimistic about sales despite the gloomy outlook for the overall economy.
Domayne Kotara electrical franchisee Adam Luker said after some soft weeks retail had picked up dramatically.
“It’s very encouraging, all the signs are there that we are going to have a very good Christmas,” Mr Luker said.
“Petrol prices and interest rates are down which could stimulate spending and I think people are a bit tired of all the gloom and doom so they’re planning some retail therapy.”