 27 Dec 00 – 2 Jan 2001 |
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Lack of growth in sales blamed on competition
Sales figures for this Christmas season are likely to be similar to those achieved during the same period last year, according to a number of shops contacted by The Business Times. However, a number of record shops have registered some improvement with the crackdown on the illegal pirate market. Many shop-keepers refused to explicitly compare sales with last year, while a few refrained from comment altogether. A record shop owner, who wished to remain anonympus, told The Business Times that the first eleven months of 2000 were poor, when compared to the same period of 1999. "Christmas always boosts sales, but this season was better than last year," he said. When asked, he said that increased profitability this Christmas, could be attributed to the crackdown on piracy, carried out through various raids over the past few months. "Piracy is detrimental to my business, however, sales decreases can be attributed to increased competition in the area," he explained, adding a new store had opened in the vicinity. Another record shop owner said although prices had risen slightly, by around two per cent, over last year, the legitimate product is preferred to pirated copies. "It is a question of money, particularly when it comes to younger customers, who have a limited amount of pocket money to spend on genuine CDs", he explained. According to one salesgirl at an accessories and make up shop, with shops springing out like mushrooms, sales this Christmas were slower than last year. "More shops are opening in this area, and with competition customers find more choice," she said. Giving books as Christmas gifts, is popular this year. Sapienza bookshop reported this year as being a busy one, comparing evenly with the last. Parents buy entertaining and educational books for children, while several customers were spotted eyeing best selling novels and thrillers. However, factual books and biographies are also popular, starting with the life of Albert Einstein, whose biography E=MC2 has sold out. A salesman at a clothes shop said sales figures mirrored last year’s, adding more male customers are getting accustomed to buying clothes for girl friends at Christmas. The same comments were brought up by an underwear shopkeeper who said that lingerie is an increasingly popular gift. "Women are buying underwear for themselves for special evenings, and they receive it from their partners as a gift. Men are becoming more adventurous in buying these kinds of gifts," he said. Pikachu and the rest of the Pokemon cartoon characters are immensely popular with the younger generations, according to a toy shop owner. From soft toys of different shapes and sizes, to cards, Pokemon merchandise is selling like hot cakes. Traditional Susie dolls are still ranking high on Santa’s list of presents for the good girls this Christmas. Boys who have behaved well this year are hoping for electronic video games. The shop owner said that he took the fact that sales this year were similar to 1999 figures, as positive. "As time goes by, more shops open in this area, bringing increased competition, so the fact that the store is doing the same as last year is definitely a good sign," he concluded. A shop selling watched, telephones, sunglasses and other accessories, that has been in operation for less than a year reported sales figures to meet expectations. The owner told The Business Times that sales had trickled throughout the season, reaching a peak last Saturday, when late shoppers were in a frenzied over purchases for their loved ones. The Business Times spoke to Le Meridien Phoenicia regarding bookings for Christmas breakfast and Christmas lunch. Charles Azzopardi, Deputy General Manager said that the festivities beat expectations. "Breakfast had a particularly good turnout, surpassing our regular 200 mark. Receiving good comments from guests, was positive for us, particularly in view of the large turnout." Mr Azzopardi said Christmas lunch was also very busy, more so than 1999, commenting that this New Year’s Eve looks much better than the general let down last year. | |||||||
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The Business Times, Network House, Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 07
Tel: (356) 382741-3, 382745-6 | Fax: (356) 385075 | e-mail: [email protected]