Bumper 2004 for shop owners

STORE owners across Port-of-Spain are having a “bumper year” for the 2004 Christmas season, as customers try to stock up on new furniture, appliances and home furnishings including curtains and draperies. On some shelves items are marked down, while other companies offer “free gift items” to their customers for purchases in various price ranges. At the Hi-Tech Electronics Store located at Henry Street, PoS, sales representative Kevin Archibald explained that the management has reduced all items by 10-15 percent until Carnival 2005. He explained that this was one of the stores “bumper” periods, with sales exceeding the same period last year. He explained that one of the biggest sellers for this season is the DVD player, which is being sold at $450.

Other favourite items include the PS2 and home centres. At present the PS2s have been sold out, with a new stock expected by next week. With regard to importing items, Archibald explained that they recently experienced some difficulty with clearing their stocks at the Port, but noted that this did not affect them in any adverse way, since the store was able to continue sales from their existing inventory. At Standards Distributors Ltd, at ANSA House, Queen and Henry Streets, PoS, customers were checking out the latest in furniture and appliances. Here customers purchasing items within various ranges are presented with pre-arranged gift items. Some customers even purchase items to be shipped to relatives in other Caribbean countries such as Grenada, St Vincent and Barbados.

Customers purchase their item, make the necessary shipping arrangements, and Standards then delivers the item to the freight company to be sent to the final destination. Newsday learnt that over the years, the export market for household appliances and furniture has been increasing, and following the devastation of Grenada by Hurricane Ivan in October, exports to Grenada have increased. But furniture and appliances are only one part of the festive season. For the average “Trini,” Christmas is not complete without curtains, draperies, floor mats and bed-spreads. At Mode Alive, the “Caribbean, ethnic, natural, rustic, modern look” is promoted and emphasis placed on motifs, appliques, tie dyes, batiks and other themes that depict environmental love and respect.

Panel curtains are described as the favourite or “best buy” for the season, with prices ranging from  $25 to $240 per panel, cushions start at $8 and go up to $50, and floor mats can be purchased from $20 up. Bedspreads are also available in a colour scheme to match your curtains and can be purchased at $199 and over. About the store’s unique choices in material, store owner Gary Aboud explained that the store’s focus is on a “modern Caribbean look,” and this is why the focus is not on materials such as satin, brocade and the traditional lace. Aboud further explained that customers are allowed to return their purchases and have them exchanged if they change their minds or colour scheme. Stores around PoS are now opening on Sundays in order to give customers a chance to stock up in time for the festive season.