Maximising the Christmas selling period and ensuring that customers get value for their money are at the top of the list of concerns for local retailers and store managers.
With Christmas Day still over ten weeks away, several stores that offer decorations, home furnishings, and household items have already started with their Christmas campaigns.
Abed’s and Company Limited was out of the gate from early, with items on display since late September. Eddy Abed, general manager at Abed’s, said:
“We try to get the maximum selling period prior to Christmas. We endeavour to have Christmas items available even if it is not the entire range.”
He added that this year was even more crucial than ever as Abed’s wanted to ensure that the stock available was of the best quality.
Though satisfied that the stock had been very well received, Eddy Abed said: “We are cautious, but optimistic. It has been a very rough retail year and people are being extremely cautious as they shop. They are looking for value for their money, and we have been able to put together a very good package for the customers.”
Over in Holder’s Hill, the ShopSmart branch there has had an extensive range of decorations and toys on display from earlier this week. Mark Niles, operations manager, said the decorations on show were based on the suggestions from customers. Customer queries“We took queries from customers since early last month asking about decorations and toys, so we got an early start,” said Niles.
The store has seen a good response so far as the Christmas toys and products have been going well.
“Sales so far have been good as we find that Barbadians seem to be planning earlier than ever for Christmas to avoid the rush and there is also a lot of interest in curtains – they have been flying through the door.”
This year ShopSmart will also offer a wider range of new products, along with the comforter sets which are usually a hit with the customers. “The comforters will be back again this year with a range of other products along that line, which will also be at great prices,” said Niles.
For ShopSmart’s tenth anniversary, which will be celebrated next month, customers will see prices reflecting what they were ten years ago. “The members have been good to us during the year and we intend to show them our gratitude by offering some fantastic specials up until Christmas.”
Olga Lashley, retail manager of Do It Best Home Centre in Sheraton, said the Christmas stock was in and would continue to flow in through the coming weeks.
The Christmas stock, which has been out since last Monday, will be accompanied by a Christmas brochure, to be launched at the end of October.
The great gift idea book will present items to customers who will be extended the facility of having items ordered if those items are not in stock and they should be here in two to two-and-a-half weeks.
Lashley said: “Even though the sales are quiet now, we are hoping that they will brighten up by the end of the month when we launch the brochure.”
Not all of the popular Christmas shopping spots are into the Christmas mode. Trisha Tannis, managing director of Courts, talked of “exciting”, soon-to-be-released plans in the works at Courts Barbados Limited, where customers can expect a new contemporary line of furniture and electronic items.
She said: “We already have a taster in the market with our Sweet Deals brochure, but customers can expect more surprises in electronics and furniture.” The special season will be linked with the store’s celebration of its 45th anniversary.
Tannis added: “Like other retail stores, we are hoping for a good season. The economy needs to have a good season as last year was depressed. It was a bit of a challenge, but we are seeing early signs of a modest recovery.”
At Cave Shepherd Department Store, Hugh Durant, corporate communication manager, said: “We have not finalised our Christmas plans as right now we are trying to finish up a sale to make room for Christmas stock. Plans for Christmas will not come into play until November or the latter part of October.”
At Dwellings, which caters to home décor, manager Jose Franco said that in the next couple of weeks the store would be further into Christmas preparations.
“We will have a launch at the end of the month and basically transform the store with Christmas items. The focus will be on décor and accessories in Christmas colours.
“There will be discounts and specials but they’re still being conceived and discussed. Paintings, couches and a few new brands which were never offered before will be available to the public,” Franco said.