Retailers are grinding through one of the slowest festive seasons in recent years following global economic turmoil that has turned the screws on sales.
Local restaurants, however, are finding an island amidst the sea of gloom and Christmas has brought with it a bounty of good cheer - and high sales.
“We are doing fantastically well, even though the season started a bit later than last year this time,” said Garth Ham, manager of Chintsa Bay Restaurant.
In East London, Llewellyn Thatcher of Le Petit restaurant said business was up about 10% on last year.
“We are passionate about what we do and do not worry about the doom and gloom … We look forward to an interest rate drop,” said Thatcher.
Ben Sanders of Ernst's Chalet Suisse restaurant said they had seen a marked improvement in November and December compared to mid-year, when fuel and food prices were at all-time highs.
“We are on more or less the same level as this time last year,” he said.
Lee Wallach of Grazia Fine Food & Wine said the restaurant had enjoyed a record festive season in terms of turnover so far, which he attributed to increased prices and foreign diners.
Retailers have not seen the same kind of response from the public, though.
Beacon Bay Retail Park manager Urshula Pape said growth was “marginally” lower compared to last year, but still surpassed expectations given the current economic climate.
“Although the positive growth is at a lower rate than previous years, this was anticipated due to the present economic climate,” said Pape.
The onset of the Christmas shopping season had boosted some sectors that reported negative growth at the height of surging interest and inflation rates during the year, she added.
However, she would not divulge “sensitive” details of the sectors or the extent of reported sales improvement.
In recent days, there has been a late rush by shoppers and most people agree the season generally started later this year.
The manager of Vincent Park shopping centre, Joseph Parsley, said there was “mixed reaction” regarding spending from retailers at the centre.
“We are not able to release that information as yet.
“We'll be able to get it early next year once all the figures are in,” he said.
Foot traffic was on par with last year and the number of vehicles entering the centre was up six percent, he added.
Jeweller Dennis Collins, a Vincent Park tenant, said his business had seen a 10 to 15% drop in sales this season.
“The general spending pattern is a bit lower, although the big buyers are still there.
“I'd say sales are about 10 to 15% lower, but we can't complain.
"Given the current economic situation, that is excellent,” Collins said.
Source: Daily Dispatch
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