DUBBO retailers are in two minds over plans to introduce Boxing Day shopping.
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They believe it would increase their sales but they see December 26 as a day traditionally spent on celebrating and uniting with family.
The plan to allow retailers throughout NSW to trade on Boxing Day was floated by Premier Mike Baird as part of the LiberalNationals election campaign.
Retailers in NSW metropolitan and tourism areas have been able to trade on Boxing Day for many years.
But a large number of cities and towns were exempt.
Dubbo Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Matthew Wright, said the issue was “a double-ended saw”.
He said he could see the positive and negative points in Dubbo retailers opening on Boxing Day.
“While it will give the chain stores and small businesses an opportunity to match up to the major metropolitan areas, I think it could come at a higher cost,” Mr Wright said.
“The employers could perhaps generate more sales by opening on December 26, but the penalty rates they will need to pay staff would be high.”
He said he did not believe the Dubbo economy would not be at a disadvantage for not opening their doors on December 27.
“It’s also important to take in mind what we celebrate at Christmas, it’s a time to be with our families,” he said.
Orana Mall shopping centre manager, Cherie Forrester, said she saw the benefits of retailers opening.
“But while I understand it is a benefit to businesses and to the Dubbo economy, I see Boxing Day as a day to spend with family,” Ms Forrester said.
While a retailer’s primary purpose was to meet customers’ needs, she said she believed national days, like Boxing Day, should be treasured.
But, she said, if the Dubbo retail industry wanted to lift its game to sit with Sydney, then shopping centres would need to meet the guidelines set by the government.
“If the larger centres in Dubbo open their doors then the stores inside will be obliged to open.”
Owner of Swish Gallery, Susie Rowley, said she did not believe any profit would be lost by Dubbo retailers not opening on Boxing Day.
“There would be nothing lost in that time,” Mrs Rowley said.
She said shoppers operated around small business’s hours.
“If they’re not open on Boxing Day it won’t stop them coming back another time,” she said.
Mrs Rowley said she believed Boxing Day was “a relaxing family day”.
“Admittedly, casual staff could relish the award rates from working on the day,” she said.
“I don’t think it’s necessary though, people should just run with the days we have been given off.”
Owner of Molly’s Place, Therese Porter, said it should be the individual business owner’s choice to open or not.
“There are more important things to do than shopping on Boxing Day,” Mrs Porter said.
“Christmas time is meant to be spent with family and I think that’s something that people in Dubbo tend to treasure.”
Charter Hall Dubbo Square refused to comment when contacted by the Mailbox Shopper