The past few months certainly have been an incredible challenge for us all with the all-pervading pressure imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

And as has been said before in this column, there have been parts of the community that have had to carry more of the load with the absolutely necessity of social isolation.

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That has been clear to us all - it's the retailers, the hospitality sector, the people who simply by the nature of their job have to close contact in order to carry out their job.

Right now we are seeing a return to some of the vitality of pre-pandemic times with the relaxation of restrictions, even if some have flouted the need for continued vigilance.

That was witnessed at the weekend in some of the Border region's tourist towns, where a large influx of visitors was marred by an ignorance shown towards the still vital requirement to maintain safe social distancing.

But regardless of these teething problems, the return to a degree of strength in the business community is a good thing.

This is why the announcement from a discount grocery chain that a store will be opened in Albury is also good news.

The move by NQR into the former Autobarn store in Young Street is a clear show of confidence in the Border's economy.

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Not only will this give shoppers greater choice, the move will of course result in local jobs.

The greater competition that awaits Border shoppers is already clear given the reaction of Craig English, the director of Lavington's Discount Grocery Warehouse.

He has already promised to undercut NQR on prices for the same product and has also pointed out his concern that any profits from the newcomer will simply head back to Melbourne.

The latter is a fair point, but again, fair competition is not a bad thing.

And by employing locals - as the big supermarket chains do in spades right across the Border region - money will flow directly into the pockets of people who call this area home.

That has to be a positive result.