Border sports stores are adapting to the challenges of COVID-19 after majority of the region's sporting calendar was thrown out.
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While sales of once popular football and netball apparel have plummeted due to the cancellation of seasons, gym equipment and shoe sales have risen as residents look for ways to stay active within restrictions.
Albury's Sportspower owner Andrew Wilson said while the year has been challenging, he's grateful to have remained open throughout the pandemic.
"Footwear probably saved us a bit because people could pretty much walk and jog and that was about it," he said.
"Fitness gear was huge, but you just can't get enough access to it.
"If you had a shop full of gym stuff during that first wave you would have sold it all three times over.
"It's been a roller coaster going up and down."
The flow on effect from the increased interest in gym gear has now led to a shortage in supply.
Lavington's Sportsfirst owner Ted Miller agreed getting stock in is one of the biggest issues at the moment, as well as a decline in customers entering the store due to the border closure.
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With no sport stores in Wodonga residents would usually make the trip across the river.
"The last couple of weeks it's backed off a bit because the centre usually gets a lot of Victorians over here," Mr Miller said.
"There's not very many football boot sales, which meant our peak time in March and April was non-existent."
Mr Wilson agreed the border closure posed as a challenge with Victorian cricket players starting to look for gear ahead of the season.
He admits he's had to adapt to continue to help customers who are unable to make it into the store.
"We're just trying to work out what works best with different customers in their different circumstances," Mr Wilson said.
Albury's The Athlete's Foot saw an increase in online orders after closing for three weeks.
Store manager Mel Jenkins said the trend has re-emerged since border towns were divided.
"The day before we definitely saw a spike with people almost rushing in to get their shoes before they couldn't cross anymore," she said.
"Since the second restrictions we've definitely noticed a drop off in customers."
Ms Jenkins added foot ailments are also on the rise.
"Going into winter people are wearing ugg boots more that normally wear orthotics and aren't using them around the house," she said.
"Then we start to see a spike in customers with foot problems."