Sales keep tills ringing in post-Christmas bargain quest

By Bernie Ní Fhlatharta and Denise McNamara

The post-Christmas sales are maintaining the high footfall experienced by Galway shops in a last-minute surge in the days leading up to Christmas.

There is certainly no shortage of money around as shoppers approach the sales with enthusiasm this year though there is no doubt that there are particularly good discounts.

White goods are particularly popular this week as shoppers try to beat the 20% VAT increase which is going to be imposed on electrical goods from January 1.

Cunniffes two electrical goods stores on the Tuam Road and in the Galway Shopping Centre have decided to absorb the VAT increase through the month of January.

Tony Cunniffe said that, though customers expressed concerns, in reality it represented only a €10 increase in every €500 spent.

“This is not the worst on single items, but anyone kitting out a new kitchen, for instance, would feel it, but we are absorbing the increase for the month of January,” he said.

Their sale, which started on Tuesday, has been very busy with a huge demand on laptops and flat screen TVs.

In the city centre, Anthony Ryans was particularly busy in their menswear section with huge discounts on suits and shirts.

Mary Bennett, owner of the Treasure Chest and prominent businesswoman in the city said the Galway retail trade was faring well despite of the recession.

“Footfall has definitely increased considerably, but the spend is just on a par with last year. People are a lot more careful which I think is a good thing,” reflected a busy Ms Bennett.