Retailers in the Highlands enjoyed an uptick in business over the Christmas and New Years period. Read also: Angus Taylor urges community organisations to apply for funding Southern Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Steven Horton said business had improved in 2020 compared to 2019. "There's no doubt that the 2020 Christmas period was better than the year before," he said. "We've definitely seen a shift towards 'buy local'. It's not just 'buy local', it's people who can't travel overseas are spending money here. Read also: Meet our moon twin: Astronauts to land near the Southern Highlands "We're offering the same products [in Australia] for the same price and people are seeing that and are now spending money here." While Mr Horton doesn't believe COVID is wholly responsible for the shift in 'buy local', he does concede that the inability to travel overseas has pushed people in to travel locally. "The Christmas period was good for sales," he said. "In the New Year, it slowed down a little bit. That's put a dampen on things. "It's definitely slowed down since the [Greater Sydney] lockdown. It's not a huge amount but it's certainly slowed down. "Not as many people from Sydney are travelling at the moment. "But it's still better than the end of 2019 and the start of 2020." Mr Horton wanted to extend his thank you to everyone who supported the local businesses and community. "We're supporting one another and it's a win-win for everyone." Read also: How to 'get ready' for storm season in five steps Did you know the Southern Highland News is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.
"We're offering the same products [in Australia] for the same price and people are seeing that and are now spending money here."
While Mr Horton doesn't believe COVID is wholly responsible for the shift in 'buy local', he does concede that the inability to travel overseas has pushed people in to travel locally.
"The Christmas period was good for sales," he said.
"In the New Year, it slowed down a little bit. That's put a dampen on things.
"It's definitely slowed down since the [Greater Sydney] lockdown. It's not a huge amount but it's certainly slowed down.
"Not as many people from Sydney are travelling at the moment.
"But it's still better than the end of 2019 and the start of 2020."
Mr Horton wanted to extend his thank you to everyone who supported the local businesses and community.
"We're supporting one another and it's a win-win for everyone."
Did you know the Southern Highland News is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.
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