Retail

The changing dynamics of retailing and recession-led volatility have been reflected in a cautionary Warehouse profit downgrade and an expectant sales and profit boost for Hallenstein Glasson.

Like the temperatures yesterday, the revenue generated by Dunedin businesses did not climb much above zero - leaving the city's services, manufacturing and retail sectors with an estimated $8 million loss.

With key tenant Countdown confirmed and more retailers being courted, a spokesman for the $125 million Five Mile Frankton Flats big box retail complex says the project is gaining momentum.

The school holidays and Easter helped boost Otago-Southland retailers' activity in April, the latest BNZ-Business New Zealand performance in services index shows.

A slump in December quarter retail sales confirms retailers' impressions of a lean Christmas, but economists are still confident the economy has better times ahead.

Connecting consumers and producers in the modern retail environment is not always easy.

Dunedin retailers reported mixed post-Christmas sales yesterday, with some saying there were fewer people around.

Otago merchants fared better than most during Boxing Day retail activity as the national volume and value of electronic transactions were down respectively 6.7% and 2.8%.

Boxing Day shopping again attracted thousands of bargain hunters to Dunedin shops, with a busy day in the city despite the aftermath of the recession.

The inconsistent application of the Holidays Act was evident in Dunedin yesterday, as Labour Day public holiday surcharges at cafes and restaurants ranged from 20% to nothing.