Father’s Day sales slow

Normally the month of June is dubbed the “dad, grad and groom” month for men, since most secondary school graduations, Father’s Day and weddings occur during this month. However this year, with the addition of the World Cup craze, Father’s Day seems to be begging for a penalty kick in order to grasp attention.

Arlene Chai, Owner of “The Hedge” garment store, Port-of-Spain told Newsday the high turnover of business for Mother’s Day, cannot be compared to the slow sales of Father’s Day. She said, although the store is offering a 20-50 percent off sale on designer clothes for Father’s Day, there has not been a rush for gifts. Chai said the store has a mixed clientele of businessmen, young adults and university students and offers wrinkle-free, top quality for men of all ages.

Hello Communications, Port-of-Spain, has advertised a 15 percent off sale on all electronics including radios, recorders, cameras and cordless telephones. Christopher Joseph, customer service representative, told Newsday sales have been slow but he expected it to rise at the end of the week since “Trinidadians are usually late shoppers.”

Detour Gents Stores reported that the usual Father’s Day sales have been punctuated by the “football rush” this year. A store clerk said sales around Father’s Day were “better in previous years” but she hoped for a rush later in the week. She noted however, that a few shoppers had purchased Soca Warriors t-shirts as Father’s Day gifts.

An offical from the popular Linda’s Bakery told Newsday, cakes did not seem like a popular gift for men, much less fathers.

For the past years, she said, the bakery had only limited orders for cakes, which were generally ordered for grandfathers or older men on Father’s Day. She said Linda’s had a special offer where customers could have a favourite photo of their father scanned unto a cake, resulting in a completely edible replica of the photo on the top of the cake.

For the constructive, adventurous or organised dad, Bhagwansigh’s Hardware has a range of products for dad’s special day. From barbeque grills and circular saws to hammer drills and aluminium ladders, the one-stop shop has specially priced items for dad.

Kumar Rambali, Supervisor at the Sea Lots store, told Newsday sales were “fairly good” but he expected more Father’s Day purchases later in the week.

Dads with hearty appetites were not left out in this year’s Father’s Day offers since accommodation awaits them at the Valpark Chinese Restaurant, Valsayn. This Father’s Day, the restaurant has carded a chinese buffet for $150 per person, all taxes included.

The menu consists of several dishes including a range of six meats, stir fried noodles, vegetable rice and a choice from five desserts. Fathers would also receive a choice of either a complimentary drink or a box of chocolates topped off with live entertainment throughout the sumptuous meal.