More choice for Albury's Boxing Day sales

The NSW government announced last month that retail shops previously required to stay closed on December 26 could open if staff freely elected to work.

Rhys Mildren’s shop, Gym Depot Clothing Co, opened in AMC Lane last year and just added a smoothie bar after recent renovations.

With many people’s health kick to begin after a day of indulging in Christmas celebrations, the store could be in for a big Boxing Day.

​“The population of Albury increases during this time because everyone is home,” Mr Mildren said.

“Hype around this place has been really good.”

AMP Lane and the city were evolving to create a more metro-feel.

“Every Christmas it seems to get to busier, Albury-Wodonga is growing as a whole,” he said.

NSW Business Chamber Murray Riverina regional manager Ben Foley said the new laws meant Boxing Day was no longer the domain of big business.

But he said it also meant a day of small businesses paying penalty rates.

Shops needed to ensure clientele was there to meet the dollar value of their staff.

“We want to give businesses the flexibility to say whether they do or don’t open their doors,” Mr Foley said.

“At least now the scales have been evened.”

He said he expected more shops to open in large centres such as Albury, Wagga and Griffith, which would attract big crowds, but smaller towns might not see value in the expense of employing workers for a public holiday.

Albury’s small businesses reported a mixed reaction to opening on Boxing Day.

Eco Store employee Laura Eyles said the shop did not even need clearance sales to justify being open on Boxing Day.

“It’s a good day, there’s people everywhere,” she said.

“Being a small store, if Myer is open, then we have to as well.”

Bamboo and hemp products had been popular in the lead up to Christmas, but Mrs Eyles would not call it a trend.

“It’s not necessarily what’s fashionable or trendy, people are looking for something different,” she said.