The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

One Christmas Tree vendor believes he is benefiting from the "underground economy" after his sales jumped by 20 percent year-over-year despite COVID-19.

Ryan Turnquest, owner/operator of Ryan’s Christmas Tree Garden, told Tribune Business that sales were higher - and customers purchasing trees earlier than they normally would - despite the high levels of joblessness and reduced incomes caused by the pandemic.

"In my opinion, The Bahamas has an underground economy," he said. "We haven’t figured it out yet, but by some way, somehow, the money comes out. Let’s be realistic. A lot of people had summer vacations they didn’t go on this year, and I know a lot of families had budgeted for that. The persons who were employed during this last summer time had their funds readily available.

"We sold out of Christmas tree stands this year. We brought in double what we normally would bring in so that attributes to a lot of new Christmas Tree buyers, and to persons who haven’t bought a Christmas Tree in years. They had to buy a new stand.”

Mya Evans, Christmas Tree City 242's general manager, told Tribune Business that business was “pretty good” and sales were only off by 5 percent from 2019. She added, though, that there was a “scarcity of trees” from suppliers, and said, “If you notice trees get smaller and smaller every year.”

"But I would say performance is going pretty good. It’s pretty steady. You know we have our loyal customers. And Bahamians just generally love Christmas. I mean, like who doesn't like Christmas? So, you know, you're always going to get families out here shopping for their Christmas tree.”

Ms Evans said Christmas Tree City 242 has been receiving multiple customer inquiries for Christmas stands this year as well, adding that persons tend to throw away or misplace them.