Cantabrians are back in the shops after the magnitude 7.1 earthquake on September 4 and are spending more on "must have" items, according to payment system operator Paymark.Its figures show that 96% of the 9000 merchants in the region's most sev
Cantabrians are back in the shops after the magnitude 7.1 earthquake on September 4 and are spending more on "must have" items, according to payment system operator Paymark.
Its figures show that 96% of the 9000 merchants in the region's most severely damaged areas are trading as normal.
Day-by-day annual percentage change data for the period September 5 to 11 shows an improving trend. Sales were down 18% on the first Sunday post-earthquake and down 11% the next Sunday compared to the same days last year.
This was similar for Monday trading, down 12% directly after the earthquake and down 7% the following Monday compared to the same days a year ago.
The "must-have" categories, including service stations and supermarkets, have experienced sales increases of 12% and 17% respectively when compared to the same period last year.
"Getting homes and businesses back up and running has taken top priority in Canterbury -- we can definitely see this reflected in the figures, with home decorating and building supplies up 11% year-on-year, and appliance stores also up 16% year-on-year," Paul Whiston, Paymark's head of sales and marketing, said.
Movie-going excursions are down 94% year-on-year and home movie rentals from the local video shops are up 63% year-on-year. Restaurant and bar meals are down 24% year-on-year.
Among the worst affected are apparel stores, down 47%, footwear stores down 44% and gardening stores down 29%.
