Local Business Owners Impressed By Loyal Customers Support

Invercargill businesses are itching to have their doors properly open again, but have been happy with the support from their loyal customers.

There has been no break for Petsmart.nz owner Graeme Lewis who has been filling online orders since lockdown, but even so, his business is 75% down on normal, and that was “a huge difference.”

“Our loyal customers have been much appreciated.”

He said it had been time consuming organising pet food products for the courier, but it was easier now with 80% of staff back working to fill orders for pick up – which also included all the added extra’s that they sell as well.

Graeme Lewis, owner of Petsmart.nz with some of the click and collect orders. Photo: whatsoninvers.nz

Young Reflections owner Joy Brown has been operating partly through Level 4 as her products were educational, but she too was eager to have her business fully open again.

People have been buying lots of games, puzzles, arts and crafts, as well as science stuff, she said.

Her latest orders were heading to the West Coast, Auckland, Wairarapa, but she wasn’t yet back supplying to schools.

Young Reflections owner Joy Brown. Photo: whatsoninvers.nz

Little Fire Music Works owner Hayden Budd has enjoyed five weeks off with his wife and extended family of nine, and was now back doing contactless deliveries around town for just a few hours a day.

He said there was “quite a big run” on instruments three days before lockdown, and he completely ran out of keyboards.

Ukelele’s were also popular, with many people finding the time to learn something new.