Swift Current stores are reporting that 2018 brought with it an average Christmas season business wise.

It seemed as if a trend during the holiday season was to see a last-minute flurry of sales benefit the business.

Gary Koebel is an owner of Sputtergotch Toy Company, which has been around eight years, and said that it would have been better for them if the rush was more spread out.

He said that he saw a fairly average year sales wise, but had heard of other businesses having a tougher time.

"Talking to some of our neighbours and other businesses, they certainly found the season to be very challenging, it's definitely signs of the economy, and with the Canada Post closure, that would have affected online sales for those who do have online."

He said that the support for local businesses over the holiday season would benefit the community itself.

"Small businesses here really support the city and the people here, and likewise citizens here will benefit by supporting local (business). We've definitely heard a lot of our customers talking about the need for that."

One of the Owners of Olea Oils and Vinegar Tasting Room Amanda Leibel said that they also experienced a last-minute Christmas-shopping rush.

"The week before is always really busy, we opened on Christmas Eve too, and sales were good that day too, so everyone (was) getting their last-minute gifts in."

Brock Friesen is a partner at Rittinger's Men's Wear and said that while the economy played a role in sales, they fell at about average.

"From a sales standpoint they were pretty good, obviously the economy is down a little bit, but we pushed forward, and we had a lot of stock, and we got rid of quite a bit, I'd say on an average year this would be alright, we're obviously always looking for a busier season."

Friesen said delays in postal service didn't negatively affect them, since they don't sell online.