Christmas shopping in full swing
The government has launched a public relations campaign to keep the Belizean dollar at home this Christmas and support local businesses. But with only ten more days until Christmas are consumers taking the slogan, “Buy Belizean” seriously? News Five set out on what for many people was a payday to see what the shoppers are buying, and what the merchants are doing to lure budget conscious Belizeans into their stores.
Whether it had to do with today being a payday or Belizeans getting holiday loans from the banks, or perhaps the message of spending your dollars in Belize hitting home, the streets of downtown Belize City were buzzing today with people buying Christmas gifts and items.
This year, the merchants have not only been encouraging consumers to shop in Belize, but some of the stores we visited had been expanded and attractively decorated to make your shopping even more enjoyable. There were also sales in several stores.
David Matus, Silvani’s Store
“Well what we are doing, we are reducing most of our toys to suit customers so that they don’t have to go anywhere else to shop. And prices are quite reasonable and we have gotten in some new toys; every year we try to get in new toys to keep our customers.”
Umesh Mahatani, Mikado Store
“One of the main attractions right now is that we have live music from outside on weekends and in these last few days remaining I will try to have it every night.”
Dave Habet, Dave’s Furniture World
“We gave a special treat to our customers and we are giving discounts on appliances and stereos which are popular among this time. On the sofas, we have been giving a sale on a whole. We have been more competitive cause there is more competition in the whole country. So from earlier in the year, the prices have gone down and I think the consumers have been benefiting.”
Some consumers we spoke with do believe that the sales strategy has saved them money.
Customer #1
“Well, I plan to do my shopping in Belize because what I intend to find out is that in Belize we have low prices when you compare to other countries, for example, Chetumal on the Mexican side.”
Customer #2
“I just start now, I just looking to start now.”
Q: “I would imagine you have done several trips to other stores, how have you been finding the prices here in Belize?”
Customer #2
“Well, some of them are high, some of them are low, reasonable enough.”
But while there are some great discounts being offered, there are still some consumers who believe you can spend less and get more from across the border, while others… well just don’t have the cash to go around.
Customer #3
“Hmmm, not yet; no money deh. We are looking on.”
Customer #4
“Well I haven’t done any Christmas shopping as yet but I am in the process of doing a little bit of things.”
Q: “What’s the delay?”
Customer #4
“Well, I just rather wait closer to Christmas then I find it more enjoyable and more exciting.”
Q: “Do you think you will do most of your shopping here in Belize or do you plan to make trips across the border?”
Customer #4
“Well to stretch my dollars, across the border and in Belize too, both places.”
But consumers better not wait too long to get their Christmas shopping done, since we noticed some of the stores are already beginning to run out of items and there are only nine more shopping days to go before Christmas.
