IT might be hard to compare it to recent Christmases past, but Portlanders don’t appear to be taking the Scrooge route to spending up during this year’s festive season.

Retailers contacted by the Observer have reported a range of steady to great trade as the big day approaches on Sunday.

Most have difficulty comparing it to the past two Christmas trading seasons, given the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns in place led to an extra boost in trade – but that boost seems to have largely stayed around.

Matt Jowett of Matt’s Lotto, Cards and Gifts said trade had been “slowly building up until this week”.

“The week has been crazy – people have realised how close Christmas actually is and they are buying big,” he said.

“My sales figures have been very comparable to last year but I’m expecting them to be picking up as we get closer and closer till Sunday.”

Apart from the lottery products other items that had been proving popular included family games, homewares, calendars, soaps, candles, picture frames and Christmas ornaments, Mr Jowett said.

The shop will open all day tomorrow.

Getting stock – an issue for most local retailers last year – had also been no problem.

“There have been no issues this year,” Mr Jowett said.

“It’s been really good, the suppliers have been really quick in filling our orders when we put them in, usually within a few days.”

It’s a similar story at A Little Decorum.

The giftware shop’s owner Linda Carmody said there had been no issues sourcing stock.

“I’ve had no problems and we’ve got plenty anyway,” she said.

“I’m constantly ordering and I’ve just this week organised orders for January.”

While it is hard to compare Christmas trade with the previous two coronavirus-affected festive seasons, Ms Carmody said she had been busy.

“Compared to last year it has probably been a little bit quieter but last year was an anomaly,” she said.

“I think people here like to shop local to support local businesses.”

Popular items had included the likes of picnic, glass and cookware but “everything’s popular”, Ms Carmody said.

The shop had been open every day in December and would be all day tomorrow as well.

Steve Chapman of Portland Phone Shop said trading in general had been “really good”.

“It’s on a par with recent years,” he said.

“Stock’s been a little bit of an issue on a couple of things but we’ve been managing to get by.”

Popular items included the large version of the iPhone (Pro Max), Bluetooth speakers and headphones and Apple-type watches.

Staff would get tomorrow off with the shop re-opening Wednesday.

Unlike the gist shops his business hadn’t had much of a boost from the late-night Friday trading last week and in late-November.

“It’s never really seemed to work for us,” Mr Chapman said.

“I don’t know whether it’s because people don’t need a phone at the last minute.”

It’s a similar story next door at Shoe Cove.

“Friday night was good but we weren’t flat out,” said owner Nicole Smith.

“Again we’re not gifts and we have a very constant business throughout the year.”

Trade in general had been good on two fronts in particular.

“It’s a bit hard to compare to last year because last year everyone was stuck in town but it’s probably on a par with the last few years,” Ms Smith said.

“People want good quality when they come to a shoe store, holidaymakers tend to love coming here because we’re the traditional old shoe shop where you can get a bit of everything and we have friendly staff.

“The community’s really good too, the Portland community really support you, they don’t like to buy online if they can help it and try to support you.”

Stock sourcing had been challenging at times.

“A lot of wholesalers aren’t keeping stock so that’s a little bit tricky,” she said.

“Once we well out we can’t re-order certain sizes for some items, others we can.

“I’m doing buying now for next summer.”

Popular items had been shoes that were “comfortable with a bit of style”.

The shop would open until 1pm tomorrow.