Commerce Ballarat executive officer Jodie Gillett said while Christmas trading had been promising so far, businesses in Ballarat still needed to lure their customers in. 

“Retailers need to be online, you can’t say you are losing some sales to online, online shopping is still fairly minimal,” she said. 

“You need to be on social media, people have got to find your products in their lounge room and they need to be able to see your Facebook page and see what products you have. 

“You have got to entice them into the store, the days of cash and wrap are gone. 

“You cannot sit behind your counter and wait for them to come in anymore, you need to put something outside the store that is going to make them want to come in.”

Ms Gillett said it was important to make sure all staff were focused on providing the best service if Ballarat businesses want to keep shoppers local. 

“As far as retailers go, service, service, service,” she said. 

“If the consumer doesn’t get it they will go online, it is your one big advantage.

“I spent yesterday shopping and went to several small stores who were our members and it was great to get that service but it isn’t always there in town.”