Latoya Grindley, Features Writer
There are now great deals to be had on all sorts of items. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
The Christmas season is here and what makes it abundantly clear are the numerous sales happening across the Corporate Area. Shoppers have been going out in droves, apparently to take advantage of these sales that, in some cases, save customers as much as 75 per cent.
Many stores in the popular Tropical and Mall plazas on Constant Spring Road in St. Andrew were having pre-Christmas sales when a Gleaner team visited last week.
There were huge banners and posters in many stores, advertising the sales going on.
Sandy Supersad, manager of 'Xtras', a popular accessories store in Mall Plaza, said having sales during this time is customary to make way for new stock.
"It is to encourage people to start shopping early and it has worked over the years. Right now we are replenishing the store with new merchandise," she said.
Not only are stores making space for new stock, but some are also providing entertainment to attract customers and get them in the Christmas spirit. Manager of 'Alexxya's', Barbie Mudahy, said for this month there will be many activities geared at getting shoppers in the mood of the season.
"There will be specials on selected items and closer to Christmas there will be live music and live mannequins. We decide to put up the Christmas tree as well, very early, to give others the feel of Christmas," she said.
Christmas theme
Many of the stores visited were already decked out with lights, trees and other seasonal ornaments.
In downtown Kingston, on King Street, there wasn't much reflection of the approaching Christmas holiday, except for very few stores which had Christmas sales and decorations. Manager of 'Best Mart', Linval Russell, said his store's sale started two weeks ago to get rid of old stock. He said the reception to the sale "is not bad, not good.
"We started decorating this week and will continue until next week. We hope things will be better because right now things are a bit stiff," Mr. Russell said.
One shared sentiment among most of the store managers, both uptown and downtown, was that while efforts were being made to embrace the Christmas season and to attract customers, things are relatively slow, especially on weekdays.
One store owner said events of recent months could possibly have an impact on sales. She cited Hurricane Dean, the general elections and recent heavy rains, as potential factors. But despite this, store personnel are anticipating and hoping that as the holiday comes closer, there will be increased sales.
In the meantime, for consumers, it is not too late to start shopping and take advantage of the attractive sales now on, which, for some stores, will likely be carried out until Christmas.
latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com
