Hordes of people are expected to descend on Perth today for the last shopping weekend before Christmas.
National figures show festive retail trade has been the worst since the recession of 2008 but Fair City shops are reporting a more optimistic outlook and with just three days left, tills are set to ring out throughout the city centre.
Last weekend was quieter than expected as Storm Deirdre battered Tayside but Alastair Taylor, co-chairman of Perth Traders Association, hopes a clear forecast combined with free parking in the city centre will lure in customers today and tomorrow.
He said: “The trend this year has seen shoppers waiting till closer to Christmas to make purchases for a number of reasons.
“Free parking in Perth and Kinross this weekend, and every weekend in December, in all council-run car parks will allow shoppers to come to Perth and not worry about getting back to their car on time, which will remove some of the stress and allow them to browse the great range of shops in Perth and Perthshire.”
More than 90% of the 6,600 business in Perth and Kinross are independently-run and shoppers are being urged to spend their money with them this weekend, instead of turning to online or chain stores.
David Groundwater, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) development manager for Perth, said: “On the last shopping weekend before Christmas the FSB is urging the people of Perth and Kinross to give local businesses an early Christmas present and support their local high streets.
“FSB recognises that our all of high streets, small and independent businesses face challenges from out of town shopping centres, Brexit uncertainty and the internet but with the deadline passed for postage, our local businesses are primed and ready with quality products and service that are second-to-none.
“Small businesses are having to find new ways to attract and retain customers in what are undoubtedly challenging times, but in the last year the number of registered businesses across the area bucked the national trend and grew for the fifth consecutive year.”
It has already been a successful year for fabric, quilting and craft shop The Peacock and the Tortoise in Perth’s George Street and additional business this weekend will be a last minute bonus for owners Trudy Duffy-Wigman and Mhairi McNeill.
Trudy said: “We are slightly up on last year but not by much.
“We haven’t been completely stowed out but we have been busy.
“Things are starting to quieten down for us now because we rely on a group of very loyal customers who buy gifts and decorations.”
