This year’s Christmas sales exceeded some market vendors’ expectations and yesterday they were hoping for the same volume and even better in the new year.
Christmas day had come and gone, but there was feverish shopping for traditional ‘Old Year’ and ‘New Year’ items. Yesterday when Stabroek News visited the Bourda and Stabroek markets, some vendors were in high spirits as the items they were selling were in demand by consumers. Shopping was a bit slow at Bourda Market, but vendors remained optimistic that the rush for food items would soon pick up during the course of the day.
At Stabroek Market, things were different, scores of persons were clamouring at meat stalls and vegetable vendors to make their purchases. There was a shortage of chicken and the cost fluctuated between $380 and $400 for a pound at the two markets, forcing consumers to pay the high prices. One meat stall owner told Stabroek News that even though there was a scarcity, they were trying to keep the price down for customers. Chicken foot was being sold at $400 per pound, while beef and its byproducts such as tripe and pickled beef were sold at $500 and $800 per pound at both of the markets. Pork products also carried a fluctuating price selling at $500 per pound of pickled pork and $1,000 per pound of pig tail.
Coconuts cost $100 for two small and $80 for a large one. However, persons were also seen purchasing imported packets of coconut powder and tinned coconut milk which were being sold for $160 and $240 respectively.
Peas cost $180 per pint and pigeon peas, which seemed to be the most sought after, was being sold at $1,000 or $800 per bag at both markets.
Reflecting on their Christmas sales this year, vendors expressed that it exceeded their expectations. One Bourda vendor said that at first, Christmas sales were very slow, in comparison to other years.
“As soon as the Christmas season approached, persons would be shopping. But this year when the government paid the $50,000 Christmas bonus, things got better and people started to buy,” the meat stall vendor related. The vendors also mentioned that they are expecting the same with the ‘Old Year’ shopping.
Many vendors expressed to Stabroek News that they were anticipating good business in the new year and were hoping that their customers will continue their patronage in 2016.
