Cherub cards and Gifts store manager Nicky Cowley. PICTURE: LACHLAN BENCE.
THE first day of summer marks the time Christmas decorations are meant to be put up at home, but retailers are being urged to get into the festive spirit even earlier.
Commerce Ballarat is telling businesses to maximise customer spending this Christmas, they should have their shop fronts decorated by November 1.
Cherub Cards and Gifts on Sturt Street was already spreading festive cheer yesterday, setting up a nativity scene and planning its window decorations.
Commerce Ballarat is offering businesses prizes if they are judged or voted to have the best Christmas displays.
Executive officer Jodie Gillett said retailers had missed out in previous years because they didn’t capitalise on the “Christmas spirit”.
“Our retailers absolutely need to be up ready to go and thinking Christmas and getting their customers to think Christmas,” she said.
“If you go to Melbourne now, most of the major retailers have their Christmas decorations up and the carols playing. The music triggers spending and we want that to happen locally rather than in other centres.
“The last thing we want is Ballarat shoppers getting the bug and deciding to do their Christmas shopping down in Melbourne.”
Retailers can go in the running for one of two prizes, both of which have prizes of $1000 cash and $1000 worth of advertising.
Cherub store manager Nicky Cowley said decorations and music weren’t just about business, but about having fun.
