Customers looking for Xmas deals

IT LOOKED very much like a normal busy day in the week in Port of Spain. 

But instead, it was a Sunday, four days before Christmas Day and hundreds of shoppers made their way to the city looking for deals, looking for bargains and looking to get their last-minute shopping done. 

For some business owners, operators and vendors, it was not the usual crowd one would expect mere days before Christmas. But some were consoled by the fact that people actually came out. The general consensus among city merchants was that people were being careful with how they spent their money. 

Both pedestrian and vehicular traffic backed up on Frederick Street for several hours. The supervisor at UA Investments Ltd on Frederick Street, who asked not to be named, said sales were somewhat disappointing this season. She said they are hoping to see a rush in the coming days. Shoppers were mainly purchasing clothing and household items she said.  

Crystal Phillip, a vendor on Frederick Street who sold household items and toys said the shopping was not what it used to be. However, she was glad to see so many people out and about as this meant some kind of shopping was being done. 

She added that people were careful with their spending and were looking for what was cheaper. She said people were largely purchasing household items and doing practical shopping. 

At well-known clothing and household store Rattans on Frederick Street, one of its supervisors Priya Ramdial said there was an increase in shopping this year as opposed to last year. “This year has been a real busy year although there has been the pandemic and everything,” she said. 

Asked if this was because of the affordable nature of the products offered by Rattans, Ramdial said “I guess so,” especially as people seemed to be looking for more clothing this year. She said there was an increase in shopping from the last week in November. 

Jenna Blandin, a mother of four, who lost her job because of the pandemic, said she is very careful in her spending. “I recently had a baby so I am spending money cautiously,” she said. 

“Right now, I am buying a (mosquito) net for the baby and I don’t like last minute (shopping) but this is the only chance I get because my husband is off today.” She said she was spending money only things her family needs. “I am not spending much on toys. I am more spending on clothes and shoes.” 

At Mode Alive, sales supervisor Melissa Joseph said the store has been consistent in sales. She said TT was a place where some people set money aside for Carnival and others for Christmas. 

“Now that we don’t have Carnival, you find some are more invested in Christmas. Some people are purchasing according to what they like and what they appreciate. Some are watching costs and some are not,” she said.