We are thrilled with December trading so far. Gifts up more than 200% (off a good base). Magazines are up 8%. Stationery up 8% – this is after our consolidation. Boxed Christmas cards are up 22%. Most pleasing is a 9% increase in basket value.
Footnote: newspaper sales are down 20% – primarily because we are starved for stock by our newsagent supplier who continues to short supply.
I have a sign out that asks customers to collect their lay bys today as the world will be ending tomorrow.
Is the sign working?
I wish I could say gifts are up 100%. But our cards n wrap are up 10%, toys novelties also up similar, and magazines are up 9% for the whole year and december is similar. this is despite cutting pockets bu 15% in August. Newspapers are down 8% for the year but all the losses occurred during the winter when News Ltd failed to come up with a promotion as good as last year (Harry Potter sold heaps of papers for us last year!)
Bruce, as a benchmark guide, gifts should at the very least equal 33% of card sales.
Geez Mark, They don’t. Thanks for the tip. Ours are 25%. Thats a good thing. I can now work on the untapped potential next year!