Christmas Eve also known as ‘shopping day gets mixed reviews from buyers and sellers in 2016

​Christmas Eve also known as ‘shopping day’ came in for mixed reviews from buyers and sellers in 2016.This day is traditionally the busiest day in the year for Christmas shoppers, and for businesses in the city of Roseau. Several individuals and business representatives shared their views on the Christmas shopping activities in 2016, in comparison to 2015 and prior years.
 
Many stores open their doors early, and several of them close their doors later than usual. Many more vendors also locate themselves on the roadsides, and adults and children alike have traditionally shopped as they prepare for the holidays.Some business representatives stated that the Christmas season was busy this year,but also claimed that it was slower than in past years.
 
Some retailers who sold electronic items said some people spent on bigger items, but to a lesser extent than expected. It appeared to business representative thatelectronic items like phones and tablets sold more in the past, but this year larger items like refrigerators, washing machines and stoves sold from their store.
 
Abusiness source noted that many people started shopping earlier in December, so there were some brisk shopping rushes throughout the month, band that the week of 19th December was the busiest for this year. The Toy Stores were among busiest, as parents scrambled for last minute gift items for their children.However, several roadside vendors said they had a different perspective and experience.
 
One of the vendors stated that the Christmas season was very slow, and on several days, it not good at all.Another noted that compared to previous seasons, there has been a decline in sales. The source speculated that the downturn in sales may have ben due to lack of consumer confidence in the economy, and lack of enthusiasm; added that Christmas week can no longer be called a peak season, as sales continue to decline every year, and the volume of shoppers keeps shrinking.
 
Another person said the Christmas season has died, it is not lively as lively as the past, when one saw many more people shopping in Roseau,along with their children; but this year, there was not as much shopping activity.