CAMILLE McEACHNIE
As the retail sector reopened today, many shops in the two main malls in Tobago—the Gulf City Lowlands and Port Mall—remained closed.
However, many shoppers said they were happy the shoes stores had reopened.
Few shoppers patronized the electronic and furniture stores. Many said they will not purchase those kinds of items unless they could get bargains.
At Lowlands Mall, before Payless Shoes Source opened at 10 am, people were already standing in line to get in.
The store followed protocol allowing only a certain number of shoppers inside at a time.
Patrons were asked to sanitize and check their temperatures as they entered.
Many, like Gabriel Quinton, anxiously waited outside the store to take advantage of a 60 percent discount on the second item purchased.
At shopaholics, at the Port Mall, women hunted for bargains too. Many told Guardian Media they were shopping for work shoes.
"Handbags could wait as funds are limited," Philomena Job said.
She said she had to buy "everything" for her teenager to return to school next month.
She said she was prepared to sign the COVID-19 vaccine consent form from the Division of Education "since September 2020".
"Our children need a break. Parents need a break too. We need them out to school," Job added.
