Enter car boot sales

Chiedza Matenga Features Writer
Do you desire, crave or feel like you want trendy and classy brands such as Dolce and Gabbana, Versace, Hugo Boss and Giorgio Armani but feel these designer labels are out of your league?

Well, there is no need to despair; your clothing label is available, but not in the expensive boutiques in the affluent shopping malls and suburbs.

Instead of boutique, please say boot.

While our sense of style and class has changed as the years go by moving with the world trends, Zimbabwe has seen the opening of several boutiques since the introduction of the multi-currency system.

The boutiques are ravishing with colour and class, not forgetting swag with all fancy brands, from suits to caps and jeans alongside maxi dresses as well.

However, a new trend has taken over as the car boot emerges as a major threat to the boutiques and established department stores.

Having dominated the industrial areas especially in Southerton and Msasa targeting workers who are paid on a weekly basis, the car boot “boutiques” have suddenly found their way to the doorsteps of established clothing shops.

Those in Southerton also only specialise in second-hand clothes that are washed and neatly pressed.

From Southerton the boot sales are now situated at Innez Terrace on the stretch between the Harare Main Post Office and Joina City.

Where they had built a base at Msasa Shopping Centre they have moved on to Robert Mugabe Road.

The boot vendors operate from vehicles ranging from the latest BMW series, Mercedes-Benz, ex-Japanese models and others indicating the success of the trade.

While the credit shops have been put under pressure by registered boutiques, the latter is under threat from the car boot salesmen.

“It is quite convenient to sell our merchandise in our cars as we can move around with it. We do not park anywhere and immediately start selling. We take our time and look for a good spot busy with human traffic,” said one the car boot vendors.

Potential customers are also in abundance.

The trend, however, from observation, is the dominance of male customers looking for formal wear including the latest safari suits.

Men are also not in the habit of trying on clothes when they buy making business easier.

“You just do not need a fitting room for them to try on their clothes. This is unlike females who want to be sure of what they are buying,” another car boot vendor Tinashe said.

The most established CBD car boot sales centre along Innez Terrace at the Main Post Office has attracted several other businessmen who have joined the bandwagon.

“We come and set up shop late in the afternoon targeting customers especially those on their way home.

“This is also a place where people looking for cellphones and other electronic gadgets come,” Munyaradzi Makore from Mufakose said.

The boot vendors also park their vehicles along Jason Moyo Avenue opposite the former Ximex Mall. Here, the latest shoe labels can be found.

Customers believe the competition brought to the fashion industry is healthy.

“We are going to see some prices going down as long as these guys come with the necessary competition. We have seen this happening when people started buying from Mupedzanhamo and lately mabhero (clothing bales) markets established around town.

“Customers have a choice. You can choose from Gucci or Armani from the credit store, boutique or car boot. No one would notice that this brand was bought on the streets or in a store,” Mrs Hazel Munemo said.

Another salesman only identified as Tendai trading from a kombi said he has been in business for the past three years.

“We started three years ago just me and my partner. We specialise in men’s wear only. We buy from our neighbouring countries such as South Africa,Botswana and Tanzania,” he said.

He added that they had no problems with the city council.

What they sell, he claimed, is legally brought into the country as they pay customs duty to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

The traders also pay fees for the parking bays meaning in a day they will pay only about $2 between 2pm and 4pm. They come earlier on Saturdays hitting the streets from 11am.

“Most of our goods do not go beyond $30. We sometimes record sales of close to $200. We sell clothes that are available for everyone so even the youths can find something affordable here.”

Tinotenda Mungofa started car boot sales in 2012 and he has seen substantial growth in the trade.

“We would sell the clothes from our bags on the streets but we later bought cars through profits. We know what our customers want and our main reason for success is knowing where to buy from,” Mungofa said.

Maxwell Mushongera paid tribute to their customers who support their business.

“Our customers have increased over the years. Sometimes we are overwhelmed as they make orders that go beyond our expectations,” he said.

However, Aaron Makumuka said business was plummeting.

“There is no doubt business once bloomed. Our sales have declined as the economy tightens. We are, however, expecting it to stabilise in the next coming years,” he said.

Makumuka cited the parking rates on the streets especially the $1 per hour.

Operating from Avondale Shopping Centre, Tino Gold said the competition pushed him out the CBD.

“Some people just touch the clothes but do not buy. I am happy to be working from Avondale.”

He added: “I buy my merchandise from Johannesburg, Botswana and Zambia. My mum sometimes travels to China where she buys certain clothes there. My mum owns shops around the city and she is very supportive,” he said.

However, Harare City Council principal communications officer Mr Michael Chideme said the car boot sales are illegal.

“Car boot sales are illegal and inasmuch as they pay their fees to EasiPark or City Park, parking bays are not for vending but for parking,” Chideme said.

As council struggles to clear Harare’s pavements of vendors, will they win the emerging new challenge of the boot vendors that are taking up parking space?

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