Vendors say sales improving since elections

Now that General Elections in St.Vincent and the Grenadines are over, owners of businesses and vendors who pligh their trade in Kingstown, are hoping the days leading up to Christmas will improve things for them.{{more}}

On Wednesday, SEARCHLIGHT visited some stores in Middle Street as well as vendors, who all said that sales were slow during the election campaign, which officially ended when Vincentians went to the polls on Monday, December 13.

“I can’t really say sales are good, may be Thursday or Friday. It’s a little poor; it’s not bad, bad. Previous years were much better.

“But we still have to thank God. People can’t sleep on their money for Christmas, so it must pick up,” said Toni Neeme of Toni Store, as he gave a frank assessment of his business performance.

Randolph Foy, a music vendor, said he believes that sales are going fairly well. He opined that prior to General Elections, business was slow, but with that behind, it’s now “fair”.

For Jennifer Samuel, a vendor who sells clothes, etc., “sales are now improving.”

“It’s a bit slow this year, but things now start shaping up,” said Samuel, as she expressed hope for better days leading up to Christmas Day.

“It was dead during the election, but from last Friday it started picking up,” said Samuel.

A vendor who operates under the gallery at Jax Enterprises said she is supported by her regular customers during this period.

“But the people with the money bawling that they don’t have,” she noted, while declining to give her name.

A store owner, who preferred to remain anonymous, said “nothing selling much, just a little. Those Sundays didn’t say much. Last year was better.”(HN)