Last minute shopping picks up
Traders in the Central Business District (CBD) of Accra have described this week’s Christmas shopping as ‘last hour’ as business activities have picked up.
According to them, people were trooping in to make purchases as the festive season was almost here.
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Many traders were seen roaming about with their wares, especially Christmas toys, with the hope of cashing in on the “last hour” sales.
Visits
Last week when The Mirror visited the Makola Market, although one could see brisk activities, the traders complained that business was “slow”.
However, The Mirror’s visits on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday revealed that the sales trend had changed and the traders were happy with sales.
Traders had taken over the pavements and the main streets leading to the Makola Market, with its attendant human traffic.
Fabric, jewellery and children’s clothes vendors had people crowded around them and that made it difficult for drivers and truck pushers to access the streets because these vendors display their wares on the main street.
Knock out
Firecrackers (popularly known as knockouts) are selling on the market at GH¢2.
There were many beautiful items on the market: cute side bags, Christmas headgears selling at GH¢5 and Christmas decorations.
The Mirror also observed that aside the market being filthy, many traders were not selling just one item; they had several goods as one could get children’s clothes, shoes, toys and fabric from the same vendor.
Traders
Some of the traders who spoke to The Mirror expressed gratitude for the sales they were making, but others did not share in their view.
Auntie Naa, who has been selling cocoyam at the Makola Market for over 10 years, said she was pleased with sales as people were buying more.
She explained that she was not expecting people to patronise her items that much so “this has blown my mind”.
Madam Kaykay, who sells local spices, said business was not bad but she was expecting more sales before Friday.
According to her, sales had been very good from last Saturday and she hoped to sell more.
Kwame Gyasi, who sells travelling bags, said he had sold 15 bags out of the 35 that he brought to the market.
He said business was encouraging as the “last hour” sales would bring him more profits.