San Fernando store owners hope for Xmas turnaround after poor Divali sales

Business owners throughout San Fernando have reported a drastic reduction in sales for Divali and are hoping that by November there will be a turnaround in sales for Christmas.

Many store owners along High Street in San Fernando have also reduced their prices to encourage sales but they said "things are still not the same" due to the pandemic.

At Fabric Land Homeland Furnishings, supervisor Seeta Jattan said it was hard for many businesses.

“No one is to blame, we did not see foresee this virus. It is not Trinidad and Tobago affected alone, it is the world,” said Jattan.

She said that many people also lost their jobs, were not getting an income and were struggling to provide for their families.

“We have taken this into consideration and have placed discounts on most of the items so that people can afford to buy.”

Jattan said there has been next to none or no shopping for Divali which is next month.

“People usually start to make preparations for Divali weeks or even months before. That has been the norm. But now it seems as if there may not be any celebrations for the festival at many homes.”

Another supervisor Gail Singh at the home décor section of the fabric Land Homeland Furnishings said the store has also received brand new Christmas decorations that, without the pandemic, would have been sold out in a day.

“We have so many beautiful decorations all just packed on the shelves. We are really hoping that families bring that joy to their homes and still celebrate Christmas.”

At Dulan’s Store, one worker echoed similar sentiments.

“It is the first time in years the sales for Divali and Christmas has been low. Many businesses are operating at a loss.”

Nearby, at the Nandlal and Son’s store, company secretary Chandra Lalchan said that company had also reduced  its prices on items. “We know the times are hard and we have specials on most of our items. We are really hoping that things pick up next month. But the situation has been hard on all of us.”