It is always the busiest time of year, and with a last – minute flurry of shopping activity before Christmas Day president Pat Pittavino says it provided a welcome “kick along” but not the bigger margins many hoped for.

Canvassing many of the businesses down the main street, he said the general consensus was increased spending however little margin gained.

“The stores are selling but not making a lot of money,” Mr Pittavino said.

“It is still challenging for the stores to remain profitable… [Christmas] it’s the time where they make their money to carry them throughout the rest of the year.”

Griffith Central Manager Cheryl Wood said while some shops were still tallying figures, some retailers had seen 20 to 30 per cent increase over last year’s Christmas spending.

“On the whole, especially the two weeks leading up to Christmas, was a very busy time, however the busiest day was boxing day,” Ms Wood said.

The Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan predicting consumers would spend $18.3 billion Australia wide between the start of the major sales in stores and online on Boxing Day right through to January 15.

Mr Pittavino says the spend trend has held true for Griffith.

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But while the spending continues with the sales pricing and discounted stock, it’s more of a boon for shoppers than retailers.

“The shopping continued through to now with sale heavy promotion and discounts sales still rocketing on, so the stores are selling but not making a lot of money, but it’s a great time for the customers,” Mr Pittavino said.

With the push to shop local kicking off in November, Ms Wood and Mr Pittavino both hoped these sales numbers reflected the message hitting home to shoppers.

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