(Trinidad Guardian) This Christmas has been the worst in terms of sales in Port-of-Spain according to some vendors. Stores and street vendors threw doors open in Port-of-Spain yesterday to accommodate Boxing Day shoppers. Frederick, Henry Streets and Independence Square had pedestrian traffic but vendors said this did not reflect on sales.
“It’s like all the people who used to shop in Port-of-Spain gone to Chaguanas and Princes Town,” said Steve Fletcher, a vendor at the Salvatori site in the city. Fletcher, who said he travelled all over the country for goods to sell, said he had noticed other parts of the country were busy with shoppers. “They just stayed away from Port-of-Spain,” Fletcher said, adding that this seemed to be a new trend.
One shopper, Christopher McDonald, said he always avoided the city right up to Christmas time but always did shopping on Boxing Day. “I bought all my Christmas gifts today. I do all my shopping after Christmas because there are less crowds and vendors are more open to bargaining,” McDonald said. He had just bought gifts for his mother and sisters.
Patricia Adams, who was shopping with her sister, said she came into the city only because she heard a particular store was having a boxing day sale. “I wouldn’t come otherwise because I drive and I don’t want my car to get wrecked. “The store however sent me a text about the sale and I came to take advantage.”
Gregory Preau, a vendor who sold his toys from the roadside on Queen Street, said Christmas Day sales were dismal. “It rained all day on Christmas, so people who usually came out to buy last minute items in the morning did not come. “I really expected sales to pick up yesterday with last minute shoppers, but that rain was trouble,” Preau said, shaking his head. Preau said although yesterday was slow but he still managed to make a few sales from the people walking about in the city.
