Retailers enjoy some wind in their sales
FIGURES UP ON LAST YEAR
BARGAIN hunters are flocking to the shops for the after Christmas sales.
Rachel Doyle of the Arboretum and President of Carlow Chamber of Commerce said 'I am not sure about the rest of the county but we are up on last year's figures and December was a great month for us.
'I do believe we are turning a corner because we have had no evidence of anything other than that here. People are more upbeat and much more positive that they were last January. I think they are saying that we are where we are and we have to make the best of it.
' There is nothing here in the Arboretum that people have to have and our figures are up on last year.
'I know some people are in dire straits but there are certain people who have money and I think they need to start spending something to give people confidence.
'Customer service is also vital. I am always saying to the staff it's not enough to be good we have to excel. You have to have excellent customer service.'
John Brophy, manager of the Fairgreen Shopping Centre said ' it's quite enough in the morning but it gets fairly busy in the afternoons. There is a good few bags being carried by people and I think things are better than last year.'
- ESTHER HAYDEN
