Some retailers and wholesalers in Speightstown, St Peter, say they are seeing optimistic signs this Christmas season.
Anthony Edwards, manager of Eddie’s Trading on Church Street, said their drinks stock was moving well and it was not even rush time yet.
“The drinks are moving with stock selling in the supermarket, in Elce’s (a subsidiary) and in the wholesale department, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. People are buying but the rush days will be tomorrow [today] and Tuesday,” he told the DAILY NATION yesterday.
Edwards said one major change they had adopted this year was to begin their Christmas promotions extra early in response to their competitors.
“For the last five years Christmas has called for earlier planning so we started earlier and it was worth it. This year, we had held back for Independence out of respect, but seeing what was happening outside, we had to start our Christmas sales even earlier than before,” he said.
Edwards said he did not approach this season apprehensively and always maintained a positive outlook despite the economy and the possible pending layoffs in the public sector, saying “Christmas keeps me excited”.
His co-manager and wife, Angela Edwards, said she was surprised at how some things were selling.
“I was surprised the Christmas lights are moving so well as everyone is complaining about the electricity bill. Also, postcards are selling, even with the Internet and ecards,” she said.
Angela said household items, flowers and artificial Christmas trees were also selling well, adding she was happy overall.
“In spite of the economic crisis, I am relatively happy. People like Christmas and they are shopping.”
Produce vendor Cynthia Burnett said she too was satisfied with her sales although they could be better.
“I am usually here from Tuesday to Saturday but I am out here today as Christmas is coming and people can come get their fresh vegetables. Sales are not too bad even though I would like more, but you have to be satisfied with what you get,” she said, adding sweet potatoes were selling well.
Owner of First Page Bookstore, Joan Griffith-Harris, said business had started to pick up.
“Within the past two days it has picked up which is the norm at Christmas. We have recorded a boost with toys, stationery and post cards,” she said.
Griffith-Harris said that over the past 15 years she had been in business, she had built up a clientele who helped to keep her going. She said her long-time clients often opted for postcards instead of the newer electronic ways of communication. However, she said she would like to see more activity in Speightstown.
This sentiment was echoed by the manager of Little Elegance, who requested anonymity. She remembered how alive Speightstown was during the Jazz In Two Cities event earlier this year and said further such events were needed.
“It was beautiful; there had to be about 5 000 people here. We need more of that,” she said.
As for sales, she said she was “thankful” but recognized they would not be as in years past.
“I understand we are in a recession so business will not be like before. However, people are still shopping for things like church dresses and they buy toys. I am looking forward to do better next year; I’m not in for all the gloom and doom predicted for Barbados because wherever you travel, there are layoffs and Barbados can’t escape. We have to take every day as it comes,” she said.
Lisa Boyce of Josephine’s Boutique advised caution going forward but said she was doing well.
“To be honest, my sales are still going well. You have to have diversity to attract business but going forward, you have to be cautious because the layoffs would affect the economy as we need money circulating,” she said.
(CA)
