More ways to shop local this Christmas

Business news 4 December 2023
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Christmas is a time for giving and supporting local businesses is a fantastic way to give back to your community. Best of all, the City of South Perth is home to diverse retail options that make shopping for gifts and Christmas Day essentials both easy and enjoyable.

Stocking up for the Christmas menu 

What would Christmas be without all that delicious food? For all your festive food options, look no further than Preston Street IGA, a staple for the Como community for over 35 years. Celebrating this milestone and the festive season started early for the Preston St IGA team; they start planning for this time of year months ago.

"We start preparing months in advance, ordering additional Christmas stock and gifts and then in the weeks leading up we introduce all our speciality Christmas lines. We find people start entertaining and celebrating the seasons from early December and we make sure we're ready to stock your pantries and tables with the best produce, a lot of which is locally sourced," store owners Pierre and Aylmyr Sequeira told us.

As for the Christmas song that must be played in store to get customers and staff in the festive mood? 'Jingle Bell Rock' is officially the team favourite.

Shop local for all your Christmas essentials at Preston St IGA. Open 24 Hours a day, seven days per week. Closed Christmas Day.

Wardrobe must-haves for the perfect gift

If you're looking to stock up someone's wardrobe (or your own) this Christmas, then local South Perth fashion retailers Mariko Boutique, Insurge, and Helena's Boutique should be first on your list. After that, Como's Inizio Fashion have you covered for all-year round wardrobe essentials and when Christmas is over, why not drop off those gifts that just aren't you at PW Merry Go Round for resale?

Mariko Boutique

Mariko Boutique has been a South Perth institution for well over 30 years. Owner Vivienne and her team are known for their personalised service and custom fitting, which keeps their loyal customer base coming back year after year for their Christmas wardrobe essentials. By carefully curating a collection of Australian and European designer brands, it is easy to see why this is the go-to for stylish and savvy customers for those must-have outfits to suit any occasion.

Shop local this Christmas, in-store or online, at Mariko Boutique.

Insurge

Insurge has been part of the South Shore Piazza retail offering since 2012 and owner Hannah told us that she founded the brand as a way of showcasing both local and international designers to their diverse clientele.

"Insurge is about styling our beautiful customers to look their best and we cater to all walks of life. Looking fabulous and feeling great is at the core of our customer experience and we work hard to make sure that everyone who visits us leaves feeling fantastic," Hannah said.

For Christmas gifts for those special people in your life, check out Insurge, in-store and online, at Insurge Clothing.

Helena's Boutique

Helena's Boutique is one of the worst-kept secrets of Angelo Street - we've lost count of how many people told us to check them out for our #ShopLocalSouthPerth campaign. As one of the top spots to grab a fabulous Christmas gift for a loved one (or yourself), Helena's is always busy at this time of year. Owner Helena told us that Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas is you" is a hit with customers and a must-have for the perfect store atmosphere.

Find the perfect Christmas gift by shopping local at Helena's Boutique, 74 Angelo Street in South Perth.

Inizio Fashion

Right near Preston Street IGA is Como fashion destination Inizio Boutique. When you enter the store and start to look through the racks, you'll be struck by how great the selection is. It makes sense, given owner Deborah has been in business for many years. We asked Deborah how she gets the stock buying so right.

"I have a diverse mix of customers, many of whom travel internationally, so for Inizio, we need to stock all seasons year-round to ensure we meet our customers' needs," Deborah said.

Deborah knows her customer so well, she is inspired by them when she buys her range. She tells us that she often calls her regulars when she gets new stock in that she know will be the perfect fit for them. It is this kind of personal service and care that has made Inizio a fashion staple for locals and visitors to the area.

When it comes to her Christmas plans, Deborah told us she'll be 'feet up' with a glass of Champagne.

"Come Christmas Day I get to stop for a minute, so I plan to treat myself to a few drinks, a few books and some much needed time with family and friends."

We think that sounds like a fantastic plan. Shop local this Christmas at Inizio Fashion in the Como Centre, Shop 3/25 Preston St in Como.

PW Merry Go Round

With a history of 38 years in the preloved fashion industry, PW Merry Go Round is a well-known consignment boutique located on Canning Highway. Specialising in designer gowns, accessories, and bridal, a quick scan through the racks is like a visit to a chic atelier on one hand and a dive into fashion history on the other. What we can tell you is that shopping local at PW Merry Go Round is a must for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind Christmas gift for that special someone who has everything, and a great way to treat yourself for all the good deeds you've been doing. That's our story and we're sticking to it.

Shop local this Christmas at PW Merry Go Round, 244A Canning Hwy, Como (just opposite Como Hotel). Open 7 days per week.

An eclectic mix of gift ideas at The Lucky Charm

The Lucky Charm in Waterford Plaza is a last-minute gift buying heaven. With the most eclectic mix of gift ideas, cards, wrapping paper, and home decor, we can't help but think that the team at Lucky Charm knew we'd forgotten that present on the way to that Christmas event.

Thankfully, you can easily drop into Waterford Plaza on the way to your next Christmas party and the team are more than happy to help you select all the essentials for a very decent gift-on-arrival. 

Shop local at The Lucky Charm, Waterford Plaza, 43/230 Manning Rd in Karawara.

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