Countdown to Christmas …traders optimistic in spite of low purchasing power

With barely two days to Christmas, a significant number of people have stormed various market centres in Accra to make last minute purchases ahead of the long holidays.

Owing to the general economic situation, it had been predicted that the festive season may not be bubbly like previous years and that exactly seems to be the case.

While some centres were busy attending to customers, same could not be said about other places as some traders complained of low patronage.

Goods ranging from colourful outfits, gift hampers, edibles, and decorative items were displayed but the purchasing power of potential customers had fallen.

The Spectator toured some market centres in Accra where some women were dressed purposely to catch the attention of potential customers.

Some had switched from selling their usual items to dealing in products they thought would be bought quickly. The response of clients seemed unfavourable as some of them feared they may run at a loss.

One of the traders, who sold ladies’ bags, said she was expecting to make some good sales but prospective buyers were merely window shoppers and she could not differentiate the festive season from ordinary days.

Apart from the activities in Accra, our Reporter Alberto Norreti Mario reports that there has been a remarkable increase in the number of customers scrambling to buy food and various Christmas items from the various shopping centres in the Ho Municipality.

The Stadium Gate Supermarket, for instance, has pledged to commit resources and recruit people with physical disabilities (PWD) as well as other young people to perform various social responsibilities with proceeds accruing from the sales during the season. 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the supermarket, Mrs Victoria Letsa said that the shopping centre was looking into the possibility of building a decent park for children, in the regional capital, Ho.

She said that customers who were flocking to the shopping centre were showing interest in Christmas cards and trees, toys and various festive gifts and decorations. “Others are also doing window shopping for now,” Mrs Letsa added. 

In response to the high demand from customers, she said the shop would recruit 10 more casual workers to add to existing 90 employees, adding that the daily average of 150 customers recorded had suddenly jumped to 300. 

“Our motive is not only to make profit all the time, but we are also highly concerned about the welfare of communities, and so we will continue to render humanitarian services to the less privileged, especially during the Christmas season,” she said. 

By Spectator Reporter