Claudia Calleja
No cheer yet for shop owners
Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi.
The two public holidays of a few days ago may have served to kick start the Christmas shopping season but retailers remain dissatisfied with the level of commerce and are hoping most consumers have left it to the last week to purchase their gifts.
Several shop assistants who work in Valletta told The Times that, so far, business has been slower than in previous years as shoppers seem to be hanging on to their cash in this time of recession.
Many do feel that last week's public holiday - the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday - stirred some enthusiasm for a trip to the shops, which carried on into Republic Day celebrated last Sunday.
However, window shopping does not necessarily translate into purchases - while the revamp of St George's Square has attracted people to the capital, retailers complain that business is still slow, according to Carmen Borg of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU.
With the new utility tariffs having only just been announced, Malta Employers' Association president Pierra Fava blamed the situation partly on "the government's insensitivity towards Christmas". He described business as being in "a pitiful state".
Two people who work at a bookstore and at a house shop in Valletta agreed that while the public holidays may have brought some relief, business was so far slower than last year despite the discounted prices.
A salesgirl at a clothes' shop said it may still be too early to judge how Christmas shopping was doing since people could still have quite a few things to buy.
"Leaving things till the very end is a typical Maltese trait," according to a toy shop owner who agreed that business was slow... but saw hope of some improvement.
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14 Comments
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J Baldacchino
Dec 18th 2009, 11:07
Further to my comment hereunder, just 10 minutes ago bought a Kenwood Chef Mixer from Amazon for 175 Euros including postage to Malta. Same model in Malta 299 Euros and this price is described as a SPECIAL OFFER deducted from the normal price of 401 Euros.
Need to say more???
Jeffery Mielak
Dec 18th 2009, 08:30
Online shopping is way better! Prices are more competitive, and 20-30% cheaper then most vendors in Malta. Why pay more for something when you can get it for less?
J Baldacchino
Dec 18th 2009, 08:02
EXTREMELY HIGH PRICES!!! In one shop that sells clothing which is a franchise of a well known english clothing company, a sweater marked with a sticker for GBP28 was being sold for Euro41. NO WAY T O BE RIPPED IN SUCH A WAY. VIVA EBAY AND OTHER ONLINE SHOPS.
Andrea Portelli
Dec 17th 2009, 22:32
I do my shopping partially on the internet and partially when I spend some day's at a friend's in the UK in December.
Argos, ASDA, M&S etc. sell a variety of gifts which cater for all ages at peanuts (in terms of prices that is).
I haven't done shopping here in Malta for years, obviously because of the horrible prices especially when it comes to electronics and CD/DVD's (then Ms. Grace Borg whines about illegal downloading of films etc. ..... what do you expect with Video games at 50-70 euros for instance!!!!)
Shop owners only have to blame themselves (note: I am neither Pro-GonziPN nor MuscatLP)
Clive Gerada
Dec 17th 2009, 21:31
There is NO BETTER than internet shopping :DDD
M. Debono
Dec 17th 2009, 21:07
Recession is just an excuse. The reason is the high prices of Maltese shops.
I'm actually surprised that people still shop from Maltese shops.
Internet buying is cheaper, faster, done at the comfort of your home, reliable, decrease cost of fuel, etc. etc. etc.
15 days ago, I wanted to buy a new hardback book - The Lost Symbol
Maltese bookshops 22-25Euro, whilst at play.com Euro15.
Guess where I bought the book from.
From now on I won't even bother entering a bookshop.
Phil Young
Dec 17th 2009, 20:38
N.Lawrence same here pal, we do all our shopping direct from the net and its much cheaper as we cut out the middle man, just like you we are sick and tired of being conned by corner shops and big retailers. no way Pedro. Boun Natale or it is it happy on line shopping.
John Farrugia
Dec 17th 2009, 14:29
Stll better late then never, but really i think that this year its going to be slower then slow or even never! Got no moneyeeeeeeeeee!
N. Lawrence
Dec 17th 2009, 12:11
I've done a LOT of Christmas shopping- on the internet! That is where there is a WIDE choice of goods and very competitive pricing. I am finished with being screwed by the local retailers.
Denise Vella
Dec 17th 2009, 11:42
It isnt just utility bills, medicines and escalating food costs which are adding to people's anxiety and sense of financial insecurity. Healthcare has become a serious worry, for care in state hospitals which up to a few years ago could be taken for granted is now not so easy to come by.
When you have to wait years for an operation, this can translate into a denial of your right to free healthcare. Families are now forced to set aside money for private medical care as it is not always in their best interest to wait forever for medical interventions.
And they also need to save up for private retirement homes in their old age. Try getting a place at San Vincenz or a state retirement home for the aged members of your family and and you'll quickly realise that you'd better start putting money aside for private care in your old age rather than fritter it away on Xmas shopping. Sorry GRTU.
Charles Micallef
Dec 17th 2009, 11:12
The choice is either save to pay the Enemalta bill or spend it in the shops………...the average wage does not suffice for both......period
Gordon Brown decided to leave the money in people's pocket to keep the economy going while in Malta we are made to pay for the Administrations' in-efficiencies..!
N.Calleja
Dec 17th 2009, 11:07
These business people are always moaning. Those of my age still remember balming Mintoff for his Christmas speeches as an excuse for the lack of sales.Then they blamed Fenech Adami. Now it's Gonzi's turn to be grilled. Why are they not honest to say that, despite the world wide recession they have maintained high prices. The same goes to restaurants. Buying through internet is very favourable. Even buying from village markets is very much cheaper for the same objects! This is the honest reason!
Andy Towler
Dec 17th 2009, 11:00
Maybe if Maltese retailers brought the price of their books down to bookdepository.com levels, and the price of computers & electronics down to amazon.co.uk levels, more of us would shop locally.
joe scerriq
Dec 17th 2009, 10:06
Perhaps if shop owners gave customers a better deal and lower prices they would see some business. In the meantime I continue with my internet shopping.