CITY COMES ALIVE WITH SHOPPING

Port-of-Spain was a magnet for shoppers yesterday as hundreds thronged the city’s streets, a sure sign that the Christmas fever was spreading. With the countdown on to Christmas Day,  people scurried around the city taking advantage of the stores that opened as early as 9 am. There was double-parking on city streets oblivious to the parking signs while  car parks were flush with cars. Some shoppers were walking with lists while others were buying “anything they see that looks nice.” Vendors expressed mixed views for Christmas sales, with some saying that  sales were good while others said it was slow and hoped things will pick up this week. Crime, they said,  was cited as a factor contributing to slow sales. Pickpockets were also said to be busy  downtown. Joy’s, a variety store on Queen Street was still running a brisk trade after 4 pm yesterday.

Manager, Joy Maharaj, said sales were good. “Customers are coming out and shopping. Sales have been consistent but I expect the last minute rush for Christmas.” Asked about the presence of two uniformed police officers, Maharaj said additional security was added. “Customers feel more comfortable shopping.” On lower Frederick Street, vendors were out as usual, selling just about everything — clothing, music CDS, cutlery and framed pictures. Several stores and malls on Frederick Street — Town Centre, Capital Plaza, Voyager Mall — were also open for business. Jeanette Johnson, Manager of Caribbean Jewellers, in Excellent City Centre, said business had been “very good” during the week. Sales, she said, were brisk at mid- morning yesterday and she anticipated even better sales today. However, she noticed that the hustle and bustle of last year’s  Christmas was missing. “People are shopping but they are scared to come out late with the bombings and all that,” she said.

Johnson said she expects some of those browsing  to return this week — when they have been paid. Excellent City Centre was quiet, as compared to weekdays. A supervisor told Newsday that she expected  shoppers to shop for toys and decorations this week. On Henry and Charlotte Streets vendors were out hawking their goods including men’s underwear, ladies lingerie, shoes and toys. Manager of Chenelle’s Beauty Bar in Time Plaza said sales were “not like Christmas” and attributed this to people having less money and goods being more expensive. Another reason given was that workers were paid last Thursday or Friday. She hoped for improved sales this week. Radica Singh, who was selling clothes on Charlotte Street admitted that she was “taking a chance” with the law since Port-of-Spain Mayor Murchison Brown had said no street vending for Christmas. She is out everyday and said she had to “come out and hustle.”

Singh said she noticed that people were buying foodstuff and household items. “It is not Christmas for me yet,” she said. Imlock Gooding said made inquiries before going on Charlotte Street to sell his stock of wallets and hair accessories. He said he heard vendors were being allowed to sell on the streets of PoS.  He too said sales would increase closer to Christmas. Vendor, Sharon Daniel had sold some of the slippers she had on display but she hoped for better sales. “I hope they give us the road to sell. Sales would be much better. They say no vending but I depend on the little money to make a living.” As for the suggestion of going to Woodford Square, she said, “When it is dark no one will go there, at least on the road we are still able to sell.”

A vendor of denim clothes, who would only give his name as Steve, blamed the slow sales on Charlotte Street on crime. He said there were pickpockets about and the police should go undercover to catch them. “Many people are going to go to Chaguanas,  things are brighter there,” he quipped. Cindy Francis, a vendor for 13 years, agreed. “I am not getting the Christmas feeling. I think it is because of the pickpockets. People are afraid to come out.” Francis, who was selling lingerie on Queen Street, said the police were  giving vendors a “chance” yesterday but she did not know for other days. “All we doing is just liming here. We hoping by Friday and Saturday sales will pick up.” Francis said she once tried selling on Woodford Square but that did not work. “After shopping, people are not going to walk all the way up to the Square with their big bags.”