And this was not just a matter of ducking in to a Dunedin mini-mart for a last-minute, post-Christmas purchase.
In this instance, there was no purchase, but the surprise customer was, indeed, an impressively large duck with iridescent blue feathers.
The paradise duck strode up to the open sliding door entry to the City Mini Market at the corner of George St and Moray Pl at 9.10am and sauntered in.
Perhaps seeking time out from the rigours of avian life, this duck was far from quackers as it waddled at first towards the delights of the horizontal ice cream chiller.
Perhaps realising the day was not yet warm enough, the duck decided against the ice cream, and retraced its webbed steps towards the array of chilled energy and fruit drinks elsewhere in the store.
Opting more for Zen contemplation rather than conspicuous consumption, the large feathery visitor then found a comfortable spot on the carpet, close to the counter, and settled in for a small snooze, also escaping the usual pecking orders, animal or human.
When a customer later walked nearby, the duck stirred itself, about 25 minutes after its arrival.
It returned to the door, took a few more steps, flicked open its majestic wings and flew away, soaring along Lower Moray Pl, and was gone.
Store staff members Ken Lin and Stella Zou had never seen anything like it, and thought the duck may have brought good luck.
"He wanted a break," Mr Lin said.
"He was very welcome.
"I was surprised and very happy," he said.
