Local businesses are reporting that more residents are shopping at home this year rather than overseas, as ...
Tills Ring In Bumper Sales
With shops open until midnight on Christmas Eve retailers are reporting bumper sales for the festive season.
And many stores are putting the ringing
tills down to the fact that more than usual Caymanians are shopping
on the island.
Traffic has been nose-to-tail as shoppers flocked into George
Town and other commercial areas of the island.
Prices for consumer goods have also fallen, encouraging people to stay in the Cayman Islands to buy their Christmas gifts.
Late Monday night the streets were packed with shoppers as stores also opened late for last-minute presents to be purchased.
"It has been going well, I am very pleased with sales and happy with all the support from locals," said Ms. Harriet Lott-Hurlston of Caymania Duty Free jewellery store in George Town.
"I think the locals, Caymanians and residents, are doing much more shopping locally than ever before."
Ms. Lott-Hurlston, who recently opened a second store in the former Royal Bank of Canada building in George Town, added: "We pride ourselves on opening until midnight on Christmas Eve for the Cayman Islanders' convenience."
Mr. Shervin Wood, who owns Deals hardware store on Upper Shedden Road, also reported a boost in sales over the last few days.
He pinpointed the drop in consumer prices as a major contributing factor to the rise. Prices have fallen by as much as 30 per cent in some instances.
"When I came back home to the Cayman Islands two years ago the lowest price for a television set was $249, now you can get one for $169," said Mr. Wood.
He pointed out, however, that sales for items such as TVs were not quite so high as in recent years.
"A couple of years ago Jamaicans were taking home a lot of goods such as TVs but prices have also fallen over there too, as well as the fact that there are not many of that nationality making purchases locally as they used to," he added.
Mr. William Peguero of Sounds and Things, on Eastern Avenue, is also happy with buoyant festive sales.
"Things have picked up in the last couple of weeks and we are doing okay," he said.
Many other merchants island-wide have reported similar sales patterns, particularly over the past few days.