Boxing sale jam

THE traditional Boxing Day sale saw Princes Town buzzing with shoppers who lined up outside stores ready to capitalise on discounted items.

There were reports that from as early as 4 am, two hours before the opening at 6 am, shoppers braced cold winds to get in line at stores which offered up to 50 per cent discounts on clothes, jewellery, footwear, handbags, cosmetics, small appliances, kitchen utensils and other household items.

Persad Stores as well JD’s Mall, Ryan’s, Judy’s and Deepak’s, Angie’s Stores and other boutiques saw crowds of shoppers yesterday.

Before Christmas the store owners complained of slow sales, but yesterday many were not in a position to speak as they were busy at their businesses.

Gemma Maharaj, who came from Rio Claro, said each year on Boxing Day she takes advantage of sales in Princes Town. “I look for household products and bedsheets that have been marked down 30 per cent and 50 per cent,” she said. Maharaj, a mother of six, said she saved her money to get all she needed at the sale. Bedspread sets priced at $250 were sold at $125. Dresses priced at $550 were sold at $300. Costume jewellery were sold from $20 and up.

However, sales were no so robust in San Fernando. While few stores were open for business, vendors on High Street were calling out bargains to the few people who were shopping. Carlton Centre was closed. Also at C3 Centre, Corinth, the stores which opened had offers of between 20 to 30 per cent discount on items.

Greater San Fernando Chamber of Commerce president Kiran Singh said overall members reported slow sales in 2018. “I believe customers were on the search for bargains from vendors on the streets and at the flea markets taking place in La Romaine and Marabella,” Singh said. The chamber's members, he said, were exploring new and innovative strategies to attract consumers and compete with flea markets and vendors in 2019. He said some businesses were considering a mid-year sale on items that may have remained in the stores over a six-month period. “We have to find ways to reach people and sell our merchandise at a low cost,” he said.

He said this year was challenging for many business owners due to the economic downturn. “The spending power of the consumer was also restricted by rising unemployment rates and increased cost of living. Also people are still reeling from the flooding crisis which affected Trinidad on a national level,” Singh said.

The chamber, he said, looked forward to Government following through on its plans to commence the San Fernando Waterfront Development Project and the ship building industry. “In light of the fact that the Petrotrin refinery has been shut down and the company is being restructured, it is hoped that these two projects will compensate for the decline in commercial activity in the southland,” he said. On this note, he said, Petrotrin workers would benefit from job opportunities arising out of these projects. The chamber, Singh said, viewed the San Fernando Waterfront as a mega project would be the "economic frontier" for business development and consumerism in south Trinidad.