Christmas shopping during recession

Shopping is a big part of the Christmas, but this year the gifts and food are not so easy to come by. The country is in the grips of an economic recession that has most people living on a shoe string budget. But while some shoppers are not too thrilled about the way holiday plans are looking, they are making the best of what they have because after all… it is the season to be jolly. News Five’s Delahnie Bain set out to find out how the recession is affecting the Christmas shopping.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting
The brunt of the economic downturn is being felt especially at this time of the year when most persons would normally spend more. But even though the Grinch we know as the recession is making sure there are fewer gifts under the tree, residents keep trying to make ends meet for the holidays.

Shopper #1
“Well, ih mi hard but I still di try. I still have to pick up something fi mi lee daughter.”

Delahnie Bain
“But you’re making it?”

Shopper #1
“Yeah, can’t complain.”

Shopper #2
“It’s not too good because money short; just fi buy exactly what you need, basic food items, nothing extra.”

Delahnie Bain
“Not gonna be like Christmas last year.”

Shopper #2
“Not like last year; no excess cash right now.”

Delahnie Bain
“How yoh Christmas shopping di come so far?”

Shopper #3
“Good.”

Delahnie Bain
“You’re getting everything you need? The tough financial times noh di affect yoh?”

Shopper #3
“Yes. Things going good, I left bruk right now.”

Shopper #4
“Right now things kinda hard but we try work, save up so we could get our children everything they want.”

Delahnie Bain
“And you’re getting everything you need?”

Shopper #4
“So far yeah.”

Less money in customers’ wallets is also bad news for businesses. The economic crisis has had mixed effects on the different stores… from the new shops in the plaza, to the usual shopping spots.

Althea Sealy, Assistant Mgr., Brodies Supermarket
“Compared to many years or the years before, this is like a small portion of what we normally have. I guess due to the recession time everybody is looking for the special prices or you know. But this is how it is right now.”

Maya Mahitani Perrera, Owner, Dollar Max
“It has been going well but I think we could have done a lot better. With enough preparation, enough merchandise, we could have done a lot better.”

Delahnie Bain
“Do you see a lot of people buying a lot of things or are they trying to curtail because of the economic situation?”

Maya Mahitani Perrera
“People are buying. Even though you have all of this recession going on, people are spending. Where they are getting the money from, I don’t know but they are spending trust me.”

Delahnie Bain for News Five.