admin
A survey by Business Chronicle showed that people continue to flock to flea markets to shop for clothing items because of the low prices. The flea markets are always a hive of activity, an indication that there is brisk business yet established retail shops are recording very poor sales.
In an interview, one of the traders at a flea market who refused to be named said many of them were enjoying good business especially during this festive period.
“Demand has risen because people are shopping for Christmas. People are coming even from the rural areas to do their shopping here at the flea market because our prices are affordable,” he said.
The trader said flea markets were catering for both the poor and the rich.
“We have items of very high quality and also items that the poor can afford so we cater for all customers,” he said.
In an interview, the public relations officer of Fort Eleven Flea market Mr Ndumiso Dube however said this year business was a bit low compared to previous yearsand he blamed this on people now selling items on the pavements.
“We are still hopeful that business will improve as we get close to Christmas,” he said.
He said the flooding of the market with second hand clothes had also impacted negatively on their business.
“If you go to the Revenue Hall you will see hundreds of people flocking there to buy the second hand clothes,” Mr Dube said.
He said people were resorting to buying second hand clothes because of the low salaries they were earning.
Mr Dube said the second hand clothes were going for prices as low as $1 for two items and as a result were very popular with customers.
Mr Dube said the solution for flea market traders that were importing most of their clothing items was to make their own if they were to survive the stiff competition.
“We have already bought sewing machines to start producing our own products but what we lack now is the capital to buy material,” he said.
Mr Dube said loans from banks were difficult to get as the interest rates were too high.
“We hope that the money from the Government that is meant for distressed and marginalised companies will also be extended to us,” he said.
Online Reporter