With the Christmas season fast approaching, many retail merchants specialising in household décor and furnishings have already begun to showcase their products but they anticipate reduced sales due to the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused much uncertainty among retailers and most have come to the conclusion that Christmas celebrations for this year will be “toned down”.
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer told Stabroek News that projections for sales in the retail sector are likely to drop during the Christmas period. He stated that many stores have begun to showcase items since they feel that it will take a longer period for the items to be sold.
Deygoo-Boyer who also holds the portfolio as Chairman of the Private Sector Commission noted that this will not be a normal Christmas as many events that persons are accustomed to will not be held. On this note, he explained that catering, events management, boutiques and others in the entertainment industry are likely to be affected the most.
“The event-driven businesses are the ones that will be hard-hit by this change. This Christmas is not a regular one and many persons will be focusing on necessities rather than luxury during this year,” he posited, while noting that the retail sector has had to adjust to the change to suit its everyday operations.
During a visit to several stores, Stabroek News observed that Christmas items are currently on sale. Some of the stores were in the process of putting out items while others already had items displayed since the beginning of this month.
According to Deygoo-Boyer, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of National Hardware, they are trying to push the sales of Christmas decorations and household goods. Like other stores, National Hardware, he said, has already adopted the strategy of early display.
He stated that they are hoping that persons and organisations will find their Christmas spirit and begin shopping early. He noted that while they are banking on offices and individuals to shop for Christmas items, they are expecting a decline in sales due to the pandemic. Deygoo-Boyer explained that “items that would not have taken a long period to sell are now taking a while to sell. So we would have taken the early approach to get the products out.”
Venita Muneshwer, Sales Manager of Muneshwer’s Household and Events Store on Water and Commerce Street told Stabroek News that they have reduced orders on Christmas items by 50%.
“We placed orders since May and we were not sure of what will happen because there was the lockdown and we are unsure of what kind of Christmas we will have, so we didn’t want to invest too much. All of our items catering for Easter, Phagwah, and Guyana Carnival Celebrations would have been left back because sales were very low during that period. So we just played it safe for Christmas,” she related.
According to her, they have ordered small quantities of Christmas trees and decorations and their last container is expected to arrive shortly in the country. She stated that by the end of this month they will have all their Christmas items on display.
Muneshwer added that there are encouraging online sales via Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp as a way to limit crowds in the store during COVID-19. She informed that customers can visit their Face-book Page and order items which they can then pick up at the store.
According to the Sales Manager, they have seen an increase in the purchase of party supplies by persons in Berbice and Essequibo. With that in mind, she said that they are optimistic that they will have some sales during Christmas season.
Over at Courts, the home furnishers, which has made Christ-mas their most celebrated holiday, they are encouraging online shopping, telesales, shopping by appointments, and placing orders via WhatsApp, Director of Sales Laverne Bakker, told Stabroek News.
She noted that all promotions and light ups, which have been a staple on their calendar will take place virtually.
Bakker explained that they are stocked and ready to promote Christmas shopping and like other stores they have accepted that this is not a normal Christmas. As such she said they can’t predict what sales will be like during the period. Asked if the company was expecting any special shipment of items for the Christmas season, she responded in the negative, but noted that they are always receiving containers with goods. It was however pointed out that there is likely to be some delay in the arrival of goods due to the container shortage around the world.
Additionally, she said, Courts is currently offering special financing and refinancing packages to customers as it is aware of the challenges families are facing during this pandemic.
Meanwhile, Michelle Alphonso, Manager at De Sinco Trading Décor and Gift Gallery on Sheriff Street, stated that her store has scaled down on orders for the season. She divulged that sales so far have been slow and while around this time they would have been getting sales for lights for the Diwali celebration, this year has been extremely slow.
Alphonso noted that due to the fire at their premises in August this year, many of their Christmas items were destroyed and the few items that were saved are currently on display. Nonetheless, she stated that they are expecting a shipment soon with Christmas items. She also explained that they have selected items on discount and after factoring in the cost of the new items, they will decide if there is room for further discounts, in an effort to encourage persons to shop during the Christmas period.
Asked about their Christmas Village, Alphonso said no decision has been made as to whether it will be a feature or not.
COVID-19 measures
The stores have indicated that they have implemented all the necessary protocols to ensure that customers and staff remain safe. During Stabroek News’ visit to the stores it was observed that wash stinks, temperature checks and social distancing markers were in place.
However, customers have been advised that they should wear their masks and follow guidelines when entering the stores.
