Christmas falling on a Sunday has had a mixed impact on Canberra's retailers.
Impact Comics co-owner Mal Briggs has spotted many new faces coming into his Garema Place shop in the past fortnight in search of the perfect present for a loved one.
Impact Comics owner Mal Briggs inside the store in Garema Place.Credit:Rohan Thomson
Star Wars, Pokemon and Deadpool-branded items were ranking particularly well, he said, with fans (and their parents and grandparents) having shop workers scramble to import recently-requested titles.
"We see a lot of new faces coming in to buy a gift for the people who are in here throughout the week," Mr Briggs said.
"This hasn't been the biggest year for us so we're relying on Christmas to give us a bit of a kick.
"The Christmas Day falling on Sunday means we've still got a full week before Christmas so lots can happen yet."
Canberra Business Chamber chief executive Robyn Hendry said the pressure was on retailers to make one-third of their year's profit during the festive season.
She said early signs were looking good, with the results of the federal and territory election providing economic certainty for many shoppers.
Sales figures will not be released until January but the retail and hospitality sectors were tracking well, she said.
"We are expecting a strong Christmas," Ms Hendry said.
"We're right in the thick of it but the signs are good.
"If you don't really make hay while the sun's shining at Christmas you'll struggle to catch up in the New Year, but it's too early to tell."
Canberra Centre manager Amanda Paradiso said retailers reported that shoppers were spending big and buying early ahead of Christmas Day.
Business owners in the complex had described "manic" weekends with unrelenting crowds until closing time, she said.
"Retailers are telling us shoppers seem very well prepared this year with lists of specific items they have researched online," she said.
"This seems to apply to fashion, gifts as well as tech-related presents for the whole family."
Emily Baker is a reporter for the Sunday Canberra Times. She previously reported on education for The Canberra Times.
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