Heat doesn't stop shoppers as traders prepare for last-minute rush

In Hargreaves Mall, JM Leech Jeweller owner Anna Tuohy said the hot weather hadn't changed how busy the store had been.

"People still have to do their shopping, so they still come out," she said.

"(The hot weather) hasn't really affected us. (We expect) the next few days will be busier. We have five shopping days left before Christmas and from December 1, we are busy until Christmas Eve. There's eight of us who serve on the floor and we are all busy. Jewellery is always a great gift, it's an emotional gift. There's an attachment to it."

On the other side of the mall Sportsgirl staff-members Carly Kinsman and Hannah Lucas had also been busy despite this week's heatwave.

"We have had very busy mornings and we closed later because it was so busy," Ms Kinsman said. "There has definitely has been a good rush and we are seeing people shop locally."

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Ms Lucas said with less than a week until Christmas, they would see the store fill with customers.

It's a big rush before Christmas this weekend, find it starts early in December. Really seeing a lot of people right now with less than a week to Christmas.

"We have an extra staff member on," she said. "The store has two full timers and an extra person for middle of the day which is the busiest peak. We will also have four people on this weekend."

Bendigo Marketplace marketing manager Danielle Downs said hot weather increased the number of shoppers who head indoors.

"We notice our customer numbers increase slightly on warmer days," she said. "It's important to us that we provide a comfortable shopping experience for our customers year round including when the summer heat hits. On hot days, customers can shop with us and know that they will be in a cool environment supporting local businesses and jobs."

Following the Christmas period, Bendigo Marketplace has events planned for customers.

"Coming up in the summer school holidays we will have a Back to School activity program for children," Ms Downs said. "We also facilitate a community initiative called "Connection Club" where we host events...to encourage wellbeing in the Bendigo community."