In early December, the Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan released research results that said 68% of adult Australians were planning to buy Christmas gifts this year, which is 9% down on 2024.

Continued cost-of-living pressures have been blamed for the reduction. However, total spending on gifts is expected to increase to $12 billion, up $200 million, or 1.7%.

With that knowledge in hand, the Lismore App hit the CBD block to gather feedback from different kinds of retail businesses, including electrical, homewares, bedding and confectionery.

Elton Cummings at Bi-Rite Lismore on Glasgow Lane (the back of Molesworth Street) was rushed off his feet, but not exactly for Christmas gifts. Heatwave conditions has been a major contributing factor to an increase in sales at this time of year.

"All our heat, all our cooling and fans are going out the door as fast as I can buy them in. So that's been a real success," Elton said.

"General trade on smalls is up slightly. Fridges, again, because of the heat, are way up compared to last year. It's hard to tell because we've still got the Boxing Day sales to come, but probably 15 to 20% so far. So I expect it's going to be a bit hard to tell how it pans out depending on the heat, but I reckon we could be up anywhere by 30% or 35% on last year."

While Bi-Rite's sales are driven by the weather, around on Keen Street, Matt Healy from Daleys Homewares has been cursing the hot weather.

"People have stayed away from the CBD while the weather has been so hot," Matt explained.

"We haven't really had much Christmas trade. I was hopeful leading into Christmas, but it hasn't happened. I think a lot of people don't have money. I think some of it is fear, and some of it is actual cost-of-living restrictions. I think there's so much bad news out in the world that people are just frightened by what's coming."

"It's hard to tell the reasons. I'm sure online is having an impact as well, but I actually think for the most part, it's people just holding back, which is a shame, because it impacts us, and as a result, we can't do the things in the community that we normally do, especially this time of year, which is Christmas fundraisers, people having Christmas fetes and things. I can't afford to do things. I've got to pay my staff."

For Matt, it has not been just Christmas, 2025 has been the toughest year he has seen in 10 years.

"It's been a tough year. In my time, in the 10 years I've been here, so I've got sort of 14 years worth of records, we're having trade similar to 2013. And in 2013, this was a smaller business, smaller building, less staff, less stock, all of those sorts of things, still having lower prices. The cost of things wasn't as high, so we're still getting revenues similar, or lower than '13."

While homewares in the CBD has had a poor Christmas and a poor 2025, just down the road on Keen Street, confectionery and ice creams appear to be selling well. Felicity Hyde from Scoops and Candy is another fan of the hot weather for ice cream sales.

"It seems very positive. I've had a lot of people come down and actually partake in the CBD elf hunt this year, and there are a lot of customers who have purchased items. I've had great feedback from people coming into town and actually walking the CBD block, and seeing how much positivity is going on around town at the moment.

"We're having a pretty good Christmas this year. I'd say we're probably up about 10% on last year, which may not seem like a lot, but it's better than what I've kind of anticipated.

Like Matt, Felicity feels as if cost-of-living pressures are still present.

"I think everyone is obviously feeling the cost of living a bit, but in saying that, I still feel like the people in town do want to support the locals, and do you want to shop locally where they can. It's very much reflected in the amount of people coming into town, not just to do Christmas shopping but to have their lunches, and spend some time in CBD, which I feel pretty positive about. 

"It's good to see the cafes are very full. I have to wait a little bit longer for my coffee nowadays, but that's a positive in my eyes." 

Dave and Sharon Martin from Instyle Sleepcentre on Woodlark Street also wanted to thank people for their continued support.

"It's been an improved trading period. I would say it's marginally improved, and I thank all the people that have continuously supported Lismore, as we slowly grow back from 2022 and start to rebuild our city.

"The improvement has been in the second half this year and generally heading in the right direction."

"We're seeing a more positive outlook, but it's still a way to go."

LAST-MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Daleys Homewares on Keen Street have 25% off Christmas decorations today and tomorrow, Christmas Eve.

"And we've got a few other specials. So, there's some towels we've got on special with some pillows. I know we say it jokingly, but yes, it is everyday, low prices, that's my business model," Matt Healy said.

After Christmas, Daleys will move to their summer hours of 10am to 4pm. It will be open everyday, except the public holidays and Friday, January 2 2026.

For Dave and Sharon Martin at Instyle Sleepcentre on Woodlark Street, the special is by a king, queen or double mattress for the price of a single until the end of the year.

And for Elton Cummings, his focus will shift to the Boxing Day sale at Bi-Rite.

"We will start our Boxing Day sales, the day after, and we expect them to be spectacular. We've already geared up to have the right price, especially on TV and audio, it's going to be really good."