Despite initial concerns about the likely impact of pre and post-elections unrest, businesses across Guyana reported booming sales over the Christmas period and the unexpected high-volume shopping is continuing into the new year.
“Activity in Linden started late you know the elections played a great part in the late start of sales. However coming into the last two weeks before Christmas and that Christmas week itself, you would want to know if it was the Wild, Wild West in Linden. And word from the commercial community is that sales were better than last year. What is shocking is that shopping has and is continuing into this new year,” said Marvin Burns, head of the Linden Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Development.
He told Stabroek News that his organisation received reports from remittance businesses that there were record numbers of money transfers in Linden, also in the last two weeks leading up to Christmas. He said that this was possibly the reason for similar record spending.
However Burns noted that unlike previous years beverage dealers reported a drop in sales and he said this was due to the fact that the final of the Kashif & Shanghai football tournament was no longer played in that region. “Kashif & Shanghai had an effect in every sector in Linden from the boat operators who cross people, to the hoteliers, to the food vendors. The greatest though was on the beverage companies and with the loss of that there are not enough Linden consumers to fill that void,” said Burns.
His comments were quite similar to those given by respective chamber of commerce heads across the country who all informed that sales rang in record high numbers last holiday season.
No complaints
Head of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookhoo told Stabroek News that while his organisation is currently working to produce a detailed report on holiday sales and by extension a business report on the Guyana economy for the year 2011, he could say that from reports received countrywide there were no complaints.
He said: “The feedback I got was very positive. In the retail and distribution sectors there were recorded leaps. This is because businesses are now carrying a variety of products for consumers to choose from.” He added, “In the last quarter there were reports of record purchases especially in the last two weeks of 2011 and consumption has continued. The main commercial streets and areas countrywide were crowded with shoppers. We are into January and it seems as there is no end to Christmas as sales volumes are continuing to climb. Although this is only initial observations and verbal reports I can say it was a very good Christmas for the business sector.”
Brazilian influx
The Brazilian influx in Region 9 was the contributing factor to that region recording not only record sales but also an increase in holiday entertainment activities. Said Head of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce, Roger King: “From all indications and reports in this region, consumers and business owners alike had a bright and jolly Christmas.
This was because of the massive support given by the Brazilian consumers. Normally, before Christmas residents would come out to make purchases for the holidays and it was always good but this year was excellent and the business owners said it was because of the number of Brazilians being caught up in the Guyanese tradition and just shopping through.”
Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce head Vishnu Doerga informed that in the area of construction material, huge sales were recorded. This was because Berbicians undertook modifications and renovations to their homes in time for the Christmas season. He said that overall retail consumer sales were high. However the entertainment sectors were affected because of the heavy rainfall. He said most parties and holiday functions are held in open air as such persons had to remain at home and on New Year’s Eve many expressed their disappointment.
Doerga said investors needed to see Berbice as a business opportunity since there is a lack of entertainment for the residents there. He said the spending power was great in Berbice and he hoped businessmen would take note and act accordingly.
Representatives at other Chambers of Commerce throughout Guyana all said that this year Guyanese rang up the sales registers in record numbers contributing positively to the economy.
