NSW: Shoppers flock to stores in round the clock trading

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NSW: Shoppers flock to stores in round the clock trading

SYDNEY, Dec 24 AAP - Round-the-clock trading at the Sydney Fish Market and one of thecity's largest shopping centres saw the Christmas rush peak in the middle of the night.

By midnight, cars were queuing to get into the fish markets to stock up on some ofthe tonnes of prawns and thousands of oysters during 36 consecutive hours of trading.

And Westfield Parramatta in Sydney's west opened its doors for 32 hours straight allowinglast minute shoppers to buy big while the kids were home sleeping.

December is traditionally a bumper month for Australian retailers with $17.5 billionspent last December on retail and selected services.

Of that $2.2 billion was spent in the nation's department stores and $1.2 billion indomestic appliance and music stores.

Victorians accounted for at least 25 per cent of national retail turnover, but NSWresidents far outspent their Victorian counterparts, $6.1 billion to $4.3 billion.

The NSW State Chamber of Commerce said clothing had proved the most popular Christmaspurchase followed by jewellery and watches.

And most shoppers were spending big despite the drought and uncertainty over potentialterrorist threats, chief executive Margy Osmond said.

The chamber conducted a survey last week on shopping intentions with 60 per cent ofthose polled in Sydney indicating they would spend at least the same amount as last yearon Christmas gifts.

"There has been a great deal of speculation about the effect of the drought and thecurrent uncertain climate on the public's intention to spend this Christmas," Ms Osmondsaid.

"But this survey shows that during this time, people are turning to family and friendsand treating them to a great Christmas."

And with the major department stores gearing up for the annual Boxing Day sales, shopperswill be parting with a lot more of their hard earned cash.

AAP sal/csd/sb

KEYWORD: XMAS TRADE NSW