National Footwear Retailers Association president Peter Parkinson, owner of McCloud Shoes, said the clothing and footwear industry was suffering from the GST and the low value of the dollar. Mr Parkinson said that shoppers were holding off buying in anticipation of sales after Christmas. They are cutting their own throats because the whole sentiment of Christmas is lost. There is a reluctance to buy presents before Christmas. It is purely the big department stores.
People are over-extended on their credit cards and it's payback time.
Meanwhile, economists said they were surprised by the leap in imports, which usually fall in November. The Age Company Ltd 2000. Any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.