Why this is a different Xmas for traders

Dar es Salaam. The festive season is usually synonymous with road trips and shopping, but this time around traders say they have not experienced booming business that is normally associated with Christmas and New Year holidays.

While Dar es Salaam’s busy Kariakoo area remained flooded with buyers yesterday, apparently due to a decision by traders to reduce prices mainly of clothes, in other major cities the situation was different.

Most traders at Kariakoo have been selling their merchandise at discounts of up to 50 per cent, something that might have informed buyers who flocked to the area yesterday.

But on the contrary, in Mwanza, a spot check by The Citizen revealed that most shopkeepers were anxiously waiting for customers who seemed not coming.

“Most customers are claiming that there is no money. When you ask them where it (the money) has gone, they will not tell you a thing but seriously, the business has been difficult since December 16, 2018,” said Ms Grace Mapendo, a boutique owner on Liberty Street in Mwanza.

The area is famous for women’s shoes and children’s clothes.

Ms Mapendo’s merchandise which she bought from Kampala, Uganda where taxes are cheaper, may not be sold entirely during the festive season, contrary to her expectations.

Mr Juma Abdul, who does his business from Makoroboi Market, shared similar sentiments: “No customer seems to be doing anything unusual. There is nothing new during this year’s festive season. Customers seem to have other more pressing issues to attend to,” he said. In Mtwara, where one would expect that buyers would be flocking to the shops after pocketing their cashew nut monies, the situation is not different from that of Mwanza.

“During the past two years, the situation was better than it is this year. Though our prices remain unchanged, the number of customers coming to buy our products is down,” said Mr Hassan Juma, who sells flowers.

Mr Mwibu Ally and Mr Bakari Abdallah who were found at the Mtwara main market, said parents have a number of pressing issues and that was why they found no reason of spending much of their meagre incomes on clothes for Christmas.

Like in Mtwara, in Dodoma, every person that The Citizen spoke to was only complaining about having “illiquid pockets”.

“I’m here (in the market) just because I want a thing or two for my kids but otherwise, I do not have anything serious to go home with,” said Ms Amina Malugu, who sells clothes at Dodoma Makulu market.

A used shoes seller, Mr Obadia Onesmo, said this year’s is the worst Christmas for his business in a period of seven years.

Ms Shukrani Massawe who, sells clothes at One Way area, said she could not see customers in her shop and in the shops of her neighbours.

In Moshi, the story is that of an increase in the number of people on the streets and at marketplaces, but who don’t buy anything.

“The town is flooded with people but contrary to last year, these people do not buy much…those who buy purchase food products. As for clothes, they only ask for prices and leave,” said Mr Edward Riwa who sells various products at the Mbuyuni Market.

Mr Sate Kimaro, who sells his products at the Moshi main market, shared similar sentiments.

In Arusha, the story was the same as residents complained about having no money to buy their usual Christmas requirements, including clothes.

“I brought various clothes worth a total of Sh700,000 to the market since Thursday last week but so far, I have only managed to sell a few products worth only Sh50,000,” said Mr James Lema, who sells his merchandise at the Arusha main market. According to Mr Michael Sanga, who works with the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute (TPRI), people no longer regard shopping for Christmas as a necessity because they now have financial discipline.

This, he said, was because the government has closed all corruption loopholes, making it difficult for one to get money that can be spent easily.

Reported by Elizabeth Edward, Jonathan Musa, Habel Chidawali, Haika Kimaro, Musa Juma and Flora Temba