A retailer said yesterday that about $4,000 worth of goods was stolen from his shop.

Darren Booth, who runs The Booth on Reid Street, added that clothes, watches and face masks were among the haul.

He appealed: “If anybody knows anything, call me, call the police.

“It’s word of mouth, if you know someone selling a jacket outside a shop for $20 give us a call or give the police a call.

“They’re not going to get anywhere near what the things are worth.”

Mr Booth said that staff discovered a broken window at the shop at about 10am and it appeared that the raiders had got to the window through a side alley.

He added that up to nine men’s Helly Hansen jackets worth $200 each were taken, as well as watches that were on layaway for customers.

Mr Booth, who has been in business for 15 years including five in Reid Street, said: “They took a bunch of clothes – they took hats, underpants, socks, even a box of masks that we had behind the counter … we sell them, they’re $8 each.”

He added that shoes were also taken as well as a large duffel bag.

But Mr Booth said: “My big orders for Christmas are not here yet – it could have been a lot worse.”

Mr Booth said he was grateful for the support shown by customers who visited the shop yesterday and asked how they could help.

He added: “It’s good that people are like that. It’s obviously one or two bad apples.”

The retailer said that CCTV cameras in the shop had been broken for several months but will be replaced today.

He added that he had reported the break-in to police, who carried out forensic work including dusting for fingerprints.

The police did not respond to a request for comment.