Xmas is here

Lifestyle Editor
The Christmas season was officially launched last weekend with the lighting of the lights in Africa Unity Square.This year the municipal authorities outdid their usual efforts at bringing Christmas cheer to those in Harare. Lights are strung up not just in the centre of the square, but also along the cypress trees that spread out along the paths from the square.

As usual, most shops have gone to town with splendid displays and tempting credit offers for clients. But it looks like the season is not going to be so merry as cash-strapped Zimbabweans are spending much less.

A shop owner in the CBD says for the past two years her small clothing business did very well with daily sales of between US$2 000 and US$3 000.

“From the beginning of November we normally see increased sales and this helps cushion us against the depression that hits in January, as it is all about school fees and food then. “But not this year. I am lucky to get US$500 a day,” she said.

One shop manager of a clothing chain concurred saying that things have not been so good this year.

“People are buying less and there are fewer customers. I think there is just no money on the market, ” he said

Furniture and appliances retailers seem to be doing better. But most sales appear to be on credit, with civil servants being the biggest spenders.

They may not spend much per individuals but the numbers more than make up for the small figures.

Most retailers who rely on cash sales say that the delay in paying the civil service bonuses is to blame for the depression in sales.
Mohammed Mussa Wholesalers seems to be the only one immune.

This past weekend saw large crowds jostling to go into the supermarkets with the furniture and hardware shops seemingly well patronised too.

Traditionally, some Zimbabweans prefer to run around for frenzied shopping just before Christmas Day.

The arrival of foreign-based locals also sees an upsurge in sales, especially for eateries, bars and related outlets.

It seems as if to some, this will be a Christmas to remember and make merry.