Wilsons Sports owner Mark Wilson, from Oamaru, put a slow start to the Christmas shopping season down to Rugby World Cup fervour and an election campaign which had further diverted people's attentions.
Business had noticeably picked up on the Wednesday following the election, he said.
This year's takings were "a little bit behind", but Mr Wilson was confident that would change with a full shopping week heading into christmas.
Still, he conceded people's shopping habits had changed.
"People aren't buying as much, that's for sure. Everyone is looking for a bargain - there's no doubt about it."
Adams Bookshop owner Terry Wilson, said the Oamaru Market Day on the previous Saturday had been great for local retailers.
Sales had been trending downward all year but had begun to turn around, Mr Wilson said.
"Right throughout the whole year we are definitely down on previous years, but this month has been slightly up on December last year," he said.
Wanaka Mitre 10 manager Mark Watson reported a "big Christmas boom" as the town began to fill up with holiday-makers, doubling the number of shoppers which was now very close to last year's, Mr Watson said.
Previously, outdoor and practical items had sold well in the Christmas rush. This year people were buying traditional giftware, such as candles, vases and toys, Mr Watson said.
Remarkables Park Shopping Centre developer Alastair Porter said the Frankton complex seemed to have bucked the trend this year, with the only quiet month so far being snowy August.
Traffic movements at the shopping centre during the year had increased by more than 100,000 on 2010, and in the past week alone Mr Porter estimated 16,500 traffic movements through the centre.
"We know it's just absolutely flying out there at the moment and it gets busier and busier as we get closer to Christmas."
The Remarkables Market, held every Saturday, was another good indicator of Christmas trade - last weekend there were 70 stallholders and the largest number of shoppers in the market's history.
In Balclutha, H & J Smith store manager Tanya Wallace said Christmas spending this season was up from last year.
"We've had really strong trading up until now; it's definitely an increase on last year."
Grant Findlater, owner of Stirling Sports, agreed shoppers were spending more this Christmas season.
"We opened with longer hours over the past two weekends and it was quite busy."
MGP scooters were proving to be popular choices as gifts for children, with fishing gear and racquet sports equipment also selling well.
However, not all retailers were reporting better sales this Christmas. Hammer Hardware store manager Brian Archbold said festive season spending started slowly.
Smaller gift shops seem to the ones cashing in on Christmas shoppers so far in Central Otago.
Clyde's Central Gourmet Galleria co-owner Mark Grimwardsaid this year was looking better than last and sales had been up since September when Rugby World Cup visitors travelled through. He said gift baskets, food and condiments were popular.
Because Christmas was on Sunday this year, Saturday would be a big day for retailers.
Clyde's Touch Yarns and Splurge giftshop owner Marnie Kelly said sales were up as well but said that may have been due to their new Christmas section of the shop.
Alexandra New World owner Kevin Ryan said his sales were "a little bit below last year", estimating at 5% lower, but he was expecting a rush, especially for fresh produce on Friday and Saturday. His brother, Phil Ryan, who owns the Cromwell New World agreed.
Nichols Garden Centre manager Jackie Dann said sales were about the same as this time last year.