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There is a feel good factor in the air. And Zimbabweans have in recent weeks filled clothing and grocery stores as they prepare for their 2015 year-end festivities – giving a fillip to the retail sector.
The rush to shop for groceries and clothes has been triggered by falling prices of goods and services due to price corrections.
National statistics agency Zimstat said last week that inflation for November gained 0,83 percent but remained in negative territory (-2,46 percent) on the back of a falling South Africa rand against the US dollar and weak consumer demand.
To stimulate consumer appetite, top retailers have been locked in cut-throat competition.
The retail sector has seen big brands such as Pick ‘n’ Pay, Choppies, OK Zimbabwe, Innscor Africa Limited and KFC fiercely battling to control the market share, resulting in declining prices.
Leading manufacturers and retailers have been running promotions as they jockey to make money this festive season, a period usually associated with luxury spending.
Although most companies and Government were yet to pay bonuses by last week, shoppers said they would not let this dampen the mood over Christmas and New Year.
Mrs Eunice Chitsinde of Harare told The Sunday Mail Business that Christmas was an important time for Christians and hence the need for families to observe it in style.
“Christmas is too important not to be celebrated for whatever reason,” she said.
“Money to spend during the festive season is always found by literally every citizen despite the challenges they would have battled during the year.
“While food has largely become readily available and at affordable prices in recent years unlike in the past when chicken and rice were eaten on rare occasions, we still have to get larger quantities of such food stuffs and others so that we can celebrate with friends and relatives,” said Mrs Chitsinde.
An Edgars Stores Limited branch manager who requested anonymity said business was looking up for the period in question, anticipating even better returns upon payment of bonuses.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers CEO Mr Willard Razawo urged retailers to continue offering lower prices of goods and services.
He said the CZR “strongly condemns any act of profiteering and speculative behaviour during the festive period and beyond”.
Mr Razawo urged retailers to ensure they have sufficient change in bond coins and smaller note denominations to avoid inconveniencing shoppers.
He also said retailers should take safety measures, bank their daily receipts and refrain from keeping cash at home or in shop safes to avoid incidences of robbery which normally spike during the festive season.
Online Reporter