As scores of persons scurry through Georgetown to conduct their holiday shopping or pick up last-minute items, small merchants are complaining that business is still moving at a slow pace.
Stabroek vendor Granville expressed that business was slow
With less than one week left before the much-anticipated Christmas Day, Guyana Times visited some key locations in the capital city amid the busy crowds and persuasive vendors.
During this season, there are many items to be checked on the holiday lists, from clothes, gifts, décor, household items and even seasonal fruits from the markets. However, vendors have claimed that these crowds do not necessarily mean that their businesses are flourishing.
Harry Ram shared that his expectations were not met
While the Stabroek Market was buzzing with people, one vendor who identified herself as Granville (only name provided,) decried that this year is quite different from the earlier years. She posited that many persons are window-shopping, and quite a few are actually purchasing the merchandises.
She, nevertheless, anticipated that on Christmas Eve Day, there might be a spike in their sales.
She said, “Business is not like long time. Long time you used to get good sales but now, it slow. We still thank God for the little that we have and that we getting. But like on Christmas Eve Day, we does get good sales. Right now, it’s slow.”
This fruits vendor said last year saw many more customers
Meanwhile, one woman told this publication that she was able to make the same amount of money as on a regular day. Her stall featured a variety of fruits and vegetables.
“I make a day pay. I work and it doing lil well,” she commented.
On the other hand, Harry Ram, who owns a grocery stall, shared his position that business in the area has been “normal” for the past days. However, it was in contradiction to his expectations. This, he believed, is greatly influenced by the earnings of the common man and their willingness to spend.
Regent Street, Georgetown vendor complains of slow sales
“I would say normal. It was not to our expectations. To me, last year was better. It depends on the circulation of money too at the bottom level because if the poor people at the bottom don’t have the spending power, all is going to be affected. These are the main problems in any shopping. From last year to this year, you have a vast decrease because the people don’t have the spending power,” the man shared.
On the outskirts of the market, another lamented that there were more vendors in the market than shoppers. As he watched over his selection of fruits, the man explained, “The other years used to be better. What I could tell you is that they have more sellers than buyers. More people selling than people buying. That’s the truth. Everybody coming out to sell cause there’s no work.”
Just next door, another vendor said that she is awaiting the final three days of the season, when there will be a thrust in the sales.
“It’s the last three days when the place does get busy and the shopping does get more excited. We have to thank God because when you thank God for the small things, big things will come later,” she stated.
A little walk along Regent Street landed this publication to a popular clothes vendor, who expressed that “nothing going on”.
“What how that stand full full…Nothing ain’t going on. You understand. This country ain’t got money. Regent Street ain’t got nobody. Watch,” he gestured.
