adminOliver Kazunga Business Reporter
THE Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has urged consumers to avoid impulse buying during the festive season. The call by the consumer watchdog comes at a time when some civil servants and workers from the private sector have started receiving their annual bonuses.
In an interview yesterday, CCZ executive director Ms Rosemary Siyachitema urged consumers to plan on how they would make use of their bonuses.
“Before consumers start buying they must plan, that is coming up with a budget on how they intend to use the money they will receive. During the festive season people have a tendency of over-spending forgetting that they need a roof over their heads.
“It is imperative that as they buy for the festive season they should not forget planning for their rentals and rates,” she said, urging consumers not to carry around a lot of cash because of pick pockets.
She said when shopping, consumers should also avoid buying products they would have not budgeted for in order to reserve money to settle other obligations such as account payments as well as school fees in January.
“During the festive season people are usually in the excitement mode where they end up finishing all their money. When shopping, consumers are urged to buy what they would have budgeted for and also to be on the lookout for specials and other promotions making sure those products are not cheaper elsewhere.”
Ms Siyachitema urged retailers not to maximise on profits as some unscrupulous businesspeople had a tendency to increase prices will-nilly at this time of the year. “This is the time to reward your consumers who have been loyal to you during the year. Instead of maximising on prices, you should maximise sales and profits by pushing volumes by offering specials and other promotions. Also retailers should always be principled and morally upright by ensuring they do not sell expired products,” she said.
A survey by Business Chronicle in Bulawayo over the weekend showed that prices of basic commodities were stable with some major retailers already running sales promotions and special offers.
Bongani Ndlovu