With less than three weeks before Christmas, shopping is generally slow in San Fernando but business people are optimistic that sales will increase. San Fernando Business Association president Daphne Bartlett said in a phone interview:
“It’s slow. Customers are choosing exactly what they want articularly with the lowering of oil prices. Citizens, especially southerners, are being cagey with their money.” But she also said that every year for the past seven to eight years there had been a 20 per cent reduction in sales. “And with the low oil price the average Trinidadian is saying ‘I don’t know what the end of the year will bring.’”
Bartlett, however, believes sales will increase in the coming day. “Trinis give a lot (of gifts) but it will not be expensive things.” San Fernando mayor Kazim Hosein said he was at a ministry meeting and could not comment. Jay Rajendra, owner of Rajendra’s on High Street and Jay’s Toy Box at St James Street, said people were buying a lot of toys. He said the remote control electronic cars, which are over $3,000, are selling fast.
But Marjourie Cross, manager of Fabric Land Ltd on High Street which sells curtains and household articles, said, except for Monday, sales had been very slow. Toy Mart High Street branch sales representative Diane Roopchan said sales had been slower than last year. “But it has been picking up. Customers are buying the Frozen dolls, Baby Alive, the electronic cars and bicycles.” Roopchan said she expected sales to increase.
Street vendors glum
It seems Christmas might be dismal for street vendors in San Fernando. Vendors will only be allowed to sell on the streets from December 17, said San Fernando Vendors Association president Roger Jack. “So we not making any money. We were hoping that we get a little more opportunity to sell. We are getting to sell eight days before Christmas... we feel they could do better,” he complained.