It's already the eve of Christmas but San Fernando business owners say sales are yet to pick up. They are blaming it on the influx of street vendors. And as consumers come out it do last-minute shopping, retailers don't expect sales to get any better. Many business owners declined to say much about the street vending in San Fernando, claiming that when they spoke on the matter previously, their businesses were vandalised.
One business woman, who requested anonymity, said: "You have an open flea market on High Street where people can sell from chives, celery, coming right down to gold, diamonds, shoes or anything you want, you can get it for sale on the streets. Shoppers can hardly pass on the pavement to get into a store. It is like mas confusion in our city."
When people leave places like Trincity and Arima to shop in San Fernando, they want to shop in comfort, she said. However, rampant street vending has denied them the opportunity as there is no pavement to walk on and lots of garbage on the streets. She said if the authorities want to have a lawful society, they must enforce the law.
But street vendors were not the only cause identified for slow sales. Others said the problem was the downturn in the economy. President of the San Fernando Business Association Daphne Bartlett said sales have been slower than 2011. "Sales have been extremely slow, probably even slower than projected. We have projected that it would be 25 per cent slower than last year but it is probably 30 to 35 per cent.
"There are several reasons; we have the downturn in the economy and fewer people are employed," Bartlett said. She said even though there are people shopping, they are not buying much, as evidenced by the small number of shopping bags they are walking around with.
She said the park and ride implemented by San Fernando mayor Dr Navi Muradali has helped with the traffic situation but the bus does not run as frequently as needed. When the Guardian walked through a crowded High Street, it was a gridlock as usual, with few police or traffic wardens in sight.
However, not everyone agreed that street vendors were drawing sales away from established businesses. Sarah Dulal of Rooklal Jewelers said street vendors actually brought a crowd onto the street, which indirectly assists their business. "Having the vendors here is good because there are bring a crowd to the streets," she said.
However, she too admits that sales for this year's Christmas season could have been better. "Its not that busy but it has its moments. It could have been better, though. It is slower than last year and I guess people don't have money to spend," Dulal said. Designer perfume salesman Winston Mooliesingh, who only sells on the streets for Christmas, said sales has been better than last year, especially since they have been allowed to stay on the street.
Muradali had initially planned to move the street vendors onto Harris Promenade, however, that plan never got on the way. Mooliesingh said people are actually shopping more this year. His colleague, Rudolph "Cold Drinks" Seeraj said the reason why businesses suffered, was the no-parking restriction in the shopping areas. He said people preferred to shop in the convenience of Gulf City Mall while those walking the streets would rather patronise the street vendors because of good bargains.
Lyndon Mc Clashie, who spent most of Saturday shopping with his children, said even though he is buying, there weren't many people doing the same. As he went through various stores, he said those with the biggest crowds were toys outlets.
