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Downcast Xmas traders pin sales hopes on school
Christmas goods traders have turned quickly to selling items for the new school term wherever possible, hoping to recover from poor sales during the festive season.
A toy seller said the depreciation of the rupee had prevented many from buying imported toys
They are relieved at a lift in sales of festive goods in the days before Christmas but say the seven-week political crisis hit them hard.
Roshan Samsudeen, who had been selling Christmas trees at Malwatte Road at the Pettah Market, said business had been bad in November and most of December but in the last two days prior to Christmas he had been able to sell some of his trees.
“With the end of Christmas the new school term will start, so I started selling socks for schoolchildren,” he said.
Mr. Samsudeen said more customers began turning up at the markets when the political turmoil subsided.
Mohamad Fairooz, who sells schoolbags at Pettah Market, said although more people were turning up at the markets they were not tempted to buy due to financial hardship.
“Customers come to our shop, look around, ask for a price of a schoolbag and leave saying they have a small budget,” he said.
He said he was forced to be constantly bargained down on price and to negotiate ways for customers to find bags according to their budgets in his desperation to sell even one bag at a time.
Pettah traders hope that school item sales will help them overcome a slump in Christmas sales
Despite the swearing-in of a new cabinet, consumers are still sceptical about stability and many said the Christmas spirit had been taken away by the political crisis.
Lionel Perera, 62, of Kiribathgoda said unlike previous years his family had not put up a decorated Christmas tree. He had not been interested in shopping or buying decorations as the atmosphere of the country was uncertain.
“I am still uncertain of the settlement of the turmoil as still there are two opposition leaders in the country,” Mr. Perera said.
Retired Air Force official Hettiarachachiege Kapila Jagath, 47, said he had spent more than usual buying his children plastic water bottles, lunch boxes and other items.
“People are unable to go shopping like in earlier times; people don’t have enough money on hand and the goods are pricey,” he said.
Toy seller Jayasekara Vithanage Prasad said the depreciation of the rupee had prevented many from buying imported toys.
“Wholesale toy shops increased their prices by Rs. 30 or more and so as a retailer I have to increase the prices as well,” he said.
Last year shops had been jam-packed with customers all through December, but not this year said traders. Pix by M.D. Nissanka
An employee at a textile shop in Pettah, Ramesh Raj, said last year the shop had been jam-packed with customers all through December, but not this year.
“I was even able to send extra earnings last year during the festive season to my family in Hatton but now I am unable even to pay my rent,” he said.
Jayasekara Vithanage Prasad
Lionel Perera
Mohamad Fairooz
Roshan Samsudeen