The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A food store yesterday said they anticipate sales will increase by mid-December following the traditional “seasonally low period” that normally occurs at this time of year.

Cyril Carey, general manager of Kenneth’s Food Store on Prince Charles Drive, told Tribune Business: “Usually this time of the year sales drop anyway. Especially if people can travel, they eat a little less now, more sparingly.

“People are getting ready for some of the end-of-year deals. I saw someone post something on social media with John Bull having a 75 percent-off sale. You can’t beat that if you’re getting ready for Christmas no matter what.”

Bradley Rolle, assistant manager of Centreville Food Market, said the continued hotel closures were a key factor behind low sales at this time with many still depending on the Government’s food assistance programme. “That has really accounted now for the amount of sales that we could be having, but we don’t have right now,” he added.

With not one customer in his store at mid-morning yesterday when he spoke to Tribune Business, Mr Rolle added: “So, yes, sales have dropped off tremendously.

“What has happened, though, was when we had the lockdown weekends no food stores were opened up on Saturday and Sunday. We used to make a couple of dollars, like on Thursday and Friday.

“Now that Saturday is basically free, those days don’t get sales at all.

“Sales have dropped tremendously, stuff is not moving off the shelf. The reality is the fast food restaurants are cheaper, and it’s quicker to just get into the drive through to pick-up some food and take it home. It’s not healthy, but this the cheapest thing for them now. Unfortunately, it is what it is.”