By SONJA KOREMANS
THE arrival of sub-zero temperatures on the Southern Downs has sparked a much welcomed retail spending spree across the region.
An icy blast that sent the mercury sliding in the first week of winter could not have come at a better time for local retailers eager to clear out cool-weather stock after unseasonably warm weather in autumn.
Clothing retailers in Warwick and Stanthorpe said sales turnover had reached record levels, while heating and electrical stores have reported robust retail conditions for the start of the month.
Downs Heating Cooling and Outdoor owner Di Smith said turnover for heating products was up 100 per cent in the first week of June.
“When the cold weather settled in, it was probably one of the busiest few days we have had in 32 years in the business,” Ms Smith said.
“Wood, gas and kerosene heaters literally walked out the door. In a business like this, you pray for sub-zero temperatures every day of winter – business booms.”
The company has also had strong demand from southern states following single-digit temperatures across large parts of NSW and Victoria this month.
But Ms Smith said not everyone was splashing out on the flashy heating fit-outs
“The turnover is there, but consumers are on much tighter budgets than we have seen in the past, even for necessities like home heating.”
Target Country Warwick store manager Jacqui Weeks said the cold snap would help move winter stock such as blankets, coats, boots and scarves that had been piling up in autumn.
“The past few winters in Warwick haven’t been as cold so I have noticed more people coming into Target this month to buy warm clothing than during the same time in previous years,” Ms Weeks said.
“Children’s clothing has been particularly popular and I have been making sure we have plenty of heaters and bedspreads available for shoppers.”
Ms Weeks said the retailer’s head office monitored weather patterns in southern regional areas such as Warwick to ensure its stores did not sell out of winter products early.
Staff at Stanhorpe Target Country said Saturday had been one of the store’s busiest days in recent weeks, with Granite Belt residents also stocking up on warm weather gear.
Rose City Shoppingworld manager Jason Gard said cool weather been a boost for the centre’s fashion retailers.
“It’s only early in the season so we don’t have sales figures yet but by all reports back from the stores, particularly clothing, it’s very positive,“ Mr Gard said.
Now that warm weather is in the rearview mirror, bargain hunters are coming off the sidelines right across the state, according to National Retailers Association spokesman Malcolm Cole.
“The feedback we are getting from retailers both large and small is that the cold weather has definetly moved shoppers into winter buying mode,” Mr Cole said.
“Shoppers who have faced tough conditions particularly in western regions hit by drought tend to buy items on sale in the mid-season clearances. Previously they may have shopped more regularly, now they put off bigger ticket items until the major sales.“
Mr Cole said early feedback from David Jones and Myer which kicked off mid-season sales this month had been positive.
“That also tends to be good news for the smaller retailers as it brings the crowds into the shopping precincts.“
Myer chief executive Richard Umbers last week said the retailer hoped to clear $150 million of stock this month, while David Jones’ new owner, South African retailer Woolworths, is also keen to clear floor space so it can roll out new labels.
