BARGAIN hunters have been out in force since the Boxing Day sales began in Bathurst two days ago.
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Unlike in 2008, shops in the area decided to stay closed on Boxing Day to give their workers a well-earned rest.
So it was on Sunday when the shopping centres reopened and everyone flocked into town to try to make the most of post-Christmas sales.
Major retailers yesterday agreed the most popular items were computer games to supplement new Wii, Nintendo, Xbox and Play Station consoles which were gifted over Christmas.
Approximately 3000 shoppers went through the doors at Big W on Sunday, assistant store manager Deirdre Owen said.
“It was very busy yesterday [Sunday],” Ms Owen said.
“Christmas decorations and chocolate stockings etc are popular. Also home entertainment stuff and games additions.
“It is more families who are coming in doing the shopping.
“It is always this busy pre-Christmas, at Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, any big retail moments.”
The Oborn family from Blayney made the trip to Bathurst to hunt down some good buys and find some extra presents for Ryley, 10 and Ryan, 12.
“We have just come for a look for PC games and things for our gaming consoles. And it’s Riley’s birthday in February so we might pick something up for that too,” Lisa Oborn said.
She said they had already been to Harvey Norman and Bunnings and every year they have a look at all of the bargains in town.
Harvey Norman franchisee Grant Bollington put down their popularity over the weekend to their 1000 days interest free deals.
“We have had a very strong weekend. It was pretty constant all day [on Sunday],” Mr Bollington said.
“Across the board we have sold a lot of TVs. There are some good bargains here and Harvey Norman advertising is very strong.
“We are hoping to finish December very strong.”
Jed Rumble from The Good Guys said his staff were flat out in the store on Sunday.
“It was a record day for us. It was a busy year,” he said.
He said popular items included LCD and plasma TVs, gaming accessories and ipods.
“I think it is partly tradition and other people are just looking for bargains. It’s the best day to get savings,” he said.
Economic modelling by Access Economics predicted NSW shoppers will spend $4.5 billion between Boxing Day and January 15, compared with last year’s $4.4 billion.
