RETAIL stores across the Tweed may have been packed with people in the lead-up to Christmas, but local op shops have also been reaping the benefits of the festive season.

Tweed Heads South Lifeline store supervisor Ricci Hillard said the Machinery Dr store was busier than expected and she believed more people were turning thrifty with their shopping this year.

“We’ve been really busy,” Ms Hillard said.

“I think more people are going op-shopping than ever before because they realise the value of it.

“I think there are tougher times especially in the Tweed. There’s not much work out there.”

Lifeline also received overwhelming amounts of donations as locals cleaned out their homes ahead of hosting their Christmas visitors.

But Ms Hillard said many people were donating damaged goods they wouldn’t be able to sell, adding to their already heavy workload.

“We haven’t got the resources to mend things,” she said.

“It’s just never-ending.”

Tweed Heads South Salvos store manager Karen Bennett said it wasn’t only those doing it tough who had resorted to op-shopping.

“I think people have been thinking differently now about how they shop,” Ms Bennett said.

“It’s been a bumper few years. Whether it’s hard for people over Christmas ... or they’re thinking about what they buy a little bit more.

“We had a really strong November, and December has been really good too.”