SPALDINGS, Clarendon:
THE HUSTLE and bustle associated with Christmas shopping was evident in the town of Spaldings in Clarendon on Christmas Eve into Christmas morning. While some business establishments reported an improvement in the level of overall consumption in the days leading up to Christmas, others believed that last-minute shopping was down this year.
At the Super Plus Food Store in the busy town, long lines were evident after 1:00 p.m. when it appeared as if most shoppers turned up to do their last minute shopping for foodstuff to prepare for the traditional Christmas Day feast.
BUSINESS LAST YEAR
However, checks with a few retailers to get feedback in order to make comparisons with last year's businesses revealed that the consensus was that business was indeed better overall last year. However, one worker, who opted for anonymity said business was better last Christmas Eve in terms of the volume of shoppers who were in lines for up to an hour or more waiting to cash items.
But, according to the worker, "the day before Christmas Eve saw better business this year when compared to last year, as customers who wanted to avoid the long lines associated with shopping on Christmas Eve (Grand Market) did most of their shopping for food items at that store and so that explained the reasons for not having the long lines early morning Christmas Eve".
At the Chok Supermarket next door there was a flurry of customers picking up food items. At the Wint Supermarket there was a similar scene and at some point in time shoppers became impatient due to the length of time they had to wait to have their goods cashed.
Gifts shops and variety stores had their fair share of business as well. At the Right Start Children and Variety Store to the north of the town, there were very few customers making purchases when The Gleaner arrived there some time after 8:30 p.m. Workers there reported that business was slow, but said the shop was a newly opened establishment.
20 PER CENT REDUCTION
At the Value Buys Store there were several customers making purchases of clothing and gift items even up to 3:30 a.m. Christmas Day, but, according to proprietor Sean Azan, "business was slow".
"In comparison to last year it was not very good. I have seen a 20 per cent reduction in business this Christmas and there has been a 15 per cent increase in prices, due mainly to inflation, so this Christmas things have not been good overall," said Mr. Azan.
Meanwhile, the two gas stations close to the recently constructed transportation centre in the town did excellent business. This can be easily attributed to the volume of public transport vehicles that are now in that area. There were long lines at both service stations, as transport operators filled up their tanks in anticipation of the dawn of Christmas Day.
- G.H.
