Byo businesses open during Easter holiday

Bianca Mlilo Business Reporter
SEVERAL businesses in Bulawayo sacrificed the four-day Easter holiday and kept their outlets open in a bid to make extra gains.

A snap survey conducted by Business Chronicle in the city between Friday and Monday revealed that several businesses did not close shop for the holiday as per tradition.

Most supermarkets, large clothing outlets, boutiques, restaurants, vehicle parts and electrical gadgets dealers conducted their business as usual.

Those interviewed said they could not afford to lose business given the low economic activity in the country.

One electrical shop owner who declined to be named said he used the period to do stock taking and get the little money spent during holidays.

“I opened the shop today because I’ve to do stock taking and balance my accounts,” he said.

“My wife and I recently had a baby girl so we need a lot of stuff for her. So if I just sit around at home celebrating Easter where will we get the money for all her needs? Another reason is that people don’t celebrate Easter as much as other holidays so I didn’t have the money for it.”

Valerie Lunga, a beauty therapist said her business was open as usual to be able to meet many expenses for the month.

“We’re now approaching month end and we need to pay rent and rates. Property owners will soon be demanding their money and staying home because it’s a holiday won’t give you the money,” said Lunga.

“It’s just not practical to take money and celebrate when it can be used for far much important stuff.”

However, some complained that the closure of banks during the holiday affected spending as some depositors do not like using the automated teller machines.

Second hand clothing dealers popularly known as koKhothama said they record brisk business during the holiday than any part of the season.

Yesterday scores of people were seen buying second hand clothes at the Revenue Hall.

Second hand clothes continue to flood the domestic market despite the ban on their trade by the government last year.

“The holiday means more people are free to come and check out what we’ve on offer and that’ll also lead to more sales,” said a Sanele Ndlovu, a trader at Khothama.