
The Boxing Day sales have delivered for Warrnambool businesses, with happy customers - and plenty of them.
After a second year in a row punctuated by COVID lockdowns and density limits, the post-Christmas sales period looms as a massive boost to small and large retail businesses.
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Louise Rogers, manager of women's clothing store Taking Shape in Koroit Street, said shoppers were keen to get in the door.
"The day has gone in bursts," Ms Rogers said.
"When we opened the doors it was really busy for that first hour and then it got busy again around lunchtime.
"It is nice to see people out and about and shopping with friends and family."
Ms Rogers praised the behaviour and attitude of her customers.
"Everyone has been really happy and you can see people are enjoying being out again," she said.
"There has been no dramas with the COVID compliance, people know what they need to do and just do it with no fuss."
This sentiment was echoed by manager of the Sheridan Outlet store in Liebig Street, Ash Chirnside.
"People are used to it now," Ms Chirnside said.
"It has become a lot easier as well since the requirement to check vaccination status has been lifted in retail.
"We have had a lot of locals in and it's always good to see so many visitors shopping this time of year.
"It has been steady, about normal for this time of year, maybe a little bit quieter.
"This time last year we didn't really have any COVID cases down here and I think the fact we have some this year has made people a little more cautious."
This year is the first Boxing Day for Warrnambool City Electronics on Liebig Street.
Staff member Ben Lakey said it had been a busy introduction to the iconic trading day.
"We have been extremely busy," Mr Lakey said.
"I think being a newer business has helped, we have had a lot of visitors who haven't been in the store before who have come in for a look."
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Harvey Norman Warrnambool proprietor of electrical Abby McDonough-Cooke said Boxing Day trade had surpassed the same period in 2020.
She said the most popular items were televisions, while small appliances were also good sellers.