The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN retailers say Back to School sales were “holding steady” with 2017’s results, telling Tribune Business there was a noticeable pick-up heading into the final weekend.

Charmaine Daley, manager at John’s and Accessories on Carmichael Road, told Tribune Business:

“I would say business has been pretty good. There’s been a steady flow of customers. Business picked up right round government pay day on Wednesday.

“We expect that level of traffic to continue for a few days. A lot of people are waiting until the last minute and that is something we have come to expect.

“I would say business is pretty much the same as last year.”

Back-to-school shopping is traditionally the second busiest period of the year for many Bahamian retailers, second only to Christmas.

Shantell Rolle, manager at the Brass & Leather Shop’s Mall at Marathon outlet, told Tribune Business: “So far business is going well. Sales have been good.

“I wouldn’t say they have been as good as last year, but still with the VAT increase it really hasn’t been as bad as we anticipated. Sales have picked up a bit in the past few days but not a whole lot.”

Audrika Glinton, marketing coordinator at Bahamas Office and School Supplies (BOSS), said there was a “definitely” an increase in customer traffic in recent days.

“We have definitely seen an increase in traffic as schools reopen. It’s been really busy. It looks like sales are holding steady with last year,” she added.