Albury retailers are quietly optimistic about a busy lead up to Christmas, with promising signs at the weekend.
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While all the traders The Border Mail spoke to yesterday said things had been quiet in recent months, more people were attending stores as COVID restrictions eased.
"It is still very quiet, but it's getting busier," Dean Street Kathmandu store manager Alli Warne said.
"With everything opening, Melbourne people can come here, Sydney people can come here, I'm predicting it to be busy.
"Saturday was probably our busiest period since everything happened with COVID.
"We've had some Melbourne people come in at the weekend and we are seeing a trend of things getting busier."
Baby Nest owner Karen Pizzey also reported a weekend boost in trade.
"Hopefully now Christmas is around the corner it will bring people in," she said.
"We stayed open because we're critical retail, but we've reduced our hours and staff.
"I do think things will increase in December when people are more comfortable shopping when more people are vaccinated."
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Ms Pizzey said there had been a shift to online shopping during the pandemic.
"But people still want to come in and support locals," she said.
"There have been delays in online shopping and with the added cost of delivery, we've found people have been coming into our store.
"Things will get better.
"We've felt that this weekend, definitely.
"You have to be positive."
Another shop worker, who asked not to be named, shared a similar story.
"It's not the same as what it was, but it's getting back there," she said.
"A lot of people are happy to be out and about and hope we don't go back into another lockdown, which I can't see happening.
"It's been a hard year, but while the sun shines people are making hay and spending money."
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