Retailers in the Highlands enjoyed an uptick in business over the Christmas and New Years period.
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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.
"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."
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
