Up to the time that the Stabroek Business made its way into downtown Georgetown late last week it still did not seem that the shopping frenzy customarily associated with the festive season had, as yet, erupted. Doubtless, however, there was something in the air. The pavement vendors usually afford themselves a ‘first jump’ on the bigger department stores. Seasonal decorations were already on offer though the relative sense of calm on Regent Street a week ago sent a message that seasonal shopping was yet to ‘break out.’ When that happens the parallel pavements on Regent Street will be insufficient to control the ‘crush.’
The bigger stores along Regent Street still appeared to be putting the finishing touches for the Christmas ‘crush.’ Last week, quite a few huge delivery trucks were delivering what, presumably, were seasonal stocks. The stores were trading in an environment of restraint; waiting to exhale. One senses that the capital, not least those streets that are associated with seasonal trading, would erupt into a trading frenzy, sooner rather than later. Up to last weekend, it still had not appeared that the trading had gotten into its stride. Still, there was a sense that the season was about to erupt. A great deal of what was beginning to unfold was occurring on the pavements. That, however, was almost a week ago. Earlier this week things had changed considerably.
On the pavements it seemed that the vendors had decided to get ahead of the game. A week ago when the Stabroek Business visited the city they were already there, keen to attract the attention of the seasonal ‘early bird’ shoppers. The vendors, over time, have come to understand that the more crowded the pavements become, the less likely their stalls are likely to be ‘picked out’ for patronage. That said, there can now be no question that Georgetown is readying itself for an enormous seasonal exhale. Some of the developments that have manifested themselves in the economic transformations that are beginning to occur in Guyana are already obvious in downtown Georgetown. There appears to be a significant investment in the renovation and expansion of the various stores and shopping malls.
These pursuits have now reduced considerably, the proprietors seemingly mindful that where Christmas shopping is concerned, the starting gun has already ‘gone off.’ offering, in some instances, a considerably more convivial environment.
