Boxing Day sales draw plenty of customers to Albury businesses despite mask mandate

Masks were mandated for all public indoor spaces on Christmas Eve, but it didn't drive away people on the hunt for their favourite items at a discounted price.

The Essential Utensil owner Tanya Allerdice said customers at her Swift Street store were all compliant.

"Our customers have been amazing," she said.

"I think people have pre-planned more this year which was good. I think the fear of not getting something was real, whereas in past years people haven't been concerned until the last minute."

Ms Allerdice said she was "on track" to match last year's Boxing Day, but would like to see more businesses open their doors for the holiday.

"From a tourism and a business owner's point of view, I think more people need to be open and give it a go. People have their families here from other areas and like to take them out to see the shops," she said.

"People will always spend money at Christmas, even if they've had a hard year, it's human nature because it's the time of giving."

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Good Games Albury manager Laura Uniacke said there had been a shift in the type of products bought at the same time last year.

"A lot of people are grabbing stuff to take to families and lots of outdoor games if they're travelling for the holidays," she said.

"People can go out camping and things like that so they're buying those games.

"Last year, puzzles were popular, but this year they're looking more for games they can play with people instead of stuff on their own."

Ms Uniacke said Albury shoppers had made big effort to support local businesses this festive season.

However, Ms Allerdice said the extra public holidays observed with Boxing Day and New Year's Day on a weekend this year has made it difficult for traders to remain open.

"We'd like to keep going. We always open on Boxing Day every year, but we're closed Monday, Tuesday, next Saturday and the following Monday," she said.

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