Updated: Valletta businesses losing money - GRTU

Lorna Mifsud

Aug 28th 2010, 11:30

I spend most of my waking life in Valletta and it is becoming extremely beautiful. There are considerable restoration projects going on, St. George's square throbs with activity day and night and many shops are refurbishing their own establishments. Frankly, I think the GRTU is either living in another dimension or else it is not appreciating the problems which retail is facing in Malta.

Valletta is becoming alive. If retailers are losing money, they have to get their act together: improve customer service, organise open weeks, fashion weeks in Valletta, themed evenings and other initiatives to attract shoppers.

Indeed, Valletta is under siege from online shoppnig and competition from other Maltese shopping centres but business need to do something about it. If they will just lament the death of an era when they enjoyed a "monopoly" because they had no competition, then, they are digging their own tombs. They should capitalise on being in Valletta.

I would also challenge any GRTU official to find a restaurant table in Valletta (at good restaurants) at lunch and dinner without having booked at least one day beforehand.

Bottom line: get your act together, then you can complain to your heart's content.

Mario Borg

Aug 28th 2010, 08:41

Most people nowadays are buying online even when it comes to clothes, you have more choice, prices are more or less the same if not cheaper and you don't get the usual, "no we don't we have it in that size anymore" due to few stocks. I think thats their biggest problem
not the smells.

jl fenech

Aug 28th 2010, 08:09

Vince Farrugia ghax ma jiftahx hanut il-belt u jara kif imur fil-bejgh u bl-ispejess kollha jorqdu u jqum mieghu u imbaghad ikun jista jitkellem.

dzerafa

Aug 28th 2010, 07:14

qabel kienet id-drawwa li kont immur sal-Belt u indur dawra niehu kafe etc.

illum ma tantx ghadex taffordja li biex tiehu kappucino u qassata thallas 3.5 euros!!! Sewwa qalu li qisek hdimt siegha xoghol ghal kafe!!!

la l-haddiem ma tantx jista jaffordja jaghmel kapricc allura ir-rota tibda tiggammja Ghalxejn qed jeqred vince. l-ewwel ma trid taghmel vince li tirsisti mal gvern li jkollna l-istess pagi bhall shabnaa l-ewropej biex ir-rota iddur kif kona mweghdin jew ahjar imwebblin 5 snin ilu.

PAUL ZERAFA

Aug 28th 2010, 06:25

SUR VINCE FARRUGA
MA NAFX KIF MA WAHHALTX FTAL MONTI.

Stephen Borg Cardona

Aug 27th 2010, 23:03

One wonders how many GRTU members who have shops in Valletta have cleaned up the facade of their shop, removed superfluous wiring and restored the overlying buildings. Very few i bet, instead they expect the Govt i.e the tax payer to do everything for them as though its not enough that their goods are priced at double the price one would pay when ordering via internet.

G Pace

Aug 27th 2010, 22:38

Qabel kien ikollok titla l-Belt biex tixtri. Illum hawn elf hanut go kull lokalita. Il-hwienet il-Belt qed jizdiedu wkoll...

Fejn qabel kellna (ezempju) 100 hanut, bit 80 minnhom il-Belt, illum hawn elf madwar il-pajjiz.

Mhux bil-fors jonqos il-bejh ?? Imma ma jfissirx li naqas ix-xiri. Ifisser biss li zdiedet il-kompetizzjoni u l-konsumatur ghandu aktar minn fejn jaghzel...apparti x-xiri minn fuq l-internet.

Xi mistoqsijiet:
1. Kemm mill hwienet tal Belt investew f'riklami ?
2. Kemm minn dawk li qed jghidu li mhux qed jaqilghu flus qalghu lira tajba fil-passat ?
3. kemm minn dawn il hwienet ghamlu tibdiliet bies joffru l-ahjar servizz f'ambjent sabih ?
4. kemm minnhom qalu prosit il-Gvern meta kienu sejrin tajjeb ?

Barra min hekk ma nifimx "deteriorating state of the city"...fi zmien meta l-Belt qatt ma kellha daqshekk attivita ta tisbih ghaddej fiha.

alistair busuttil

Aug 27th 2010, 21:53

tal-hwiemet ghandhom ghalfejn igorru li naqas il-bejgh,mela sandli partikolari issibu b 27 euros bis SALE min go hanut il-belt imbaghad ticcekja fuq l- e-bay u issibu bi 12 euro l-istess oggett u bil-kulur u is size li trid int

monica muscat

Aug 27th 2010, 21:49

I fully agree with all the points raised by Mr. Joe Micallef. The GRTS grumbles of lack of trade.
We residents complain of lack of availability of a diversified nature. It is cut-throat competition in certain wares and NIL availabilty of other products. What happens? Residents and non-Residents have started to shop elsewhere. GRTU do something NOW about diversification, and stop grumbling about the infrustructural works and lack of parking. Please start by leaving your own cars outside Valletta, creating parking for your patrons. Perhaps something will improve for you.

d.attard

Aug 27th 2010, 19:37

Valletta is crying out for a leader who can bring together business and resident together. Valletta has a unique capacity to be a fabulous living experience to resident, business and visitor. Partizan Politics (PN) at so many levels and in so many guises has eroded Valletta's potential. So much money has been spent yet holistically, the Valletta experience is a shambles. Joe Micallef below makes many valid points. So many groups went their own way, each happy at having obtained this concession or that benefit. Yet these concessions and benefits were at loggerheads with each other, producing such a hybrid that one can only feel but not fully explain. On the positive side, there are so many excellent single elements that a leader with vision can make out of Valletta a quality experience for all. As for the GRTU, sorry guys, you lost the plot big time. Even this statement smacks of a reaction to businesses bleeding without having an inkling what to do, having your trousers spiked in a political twist. First step, stop the notte bianca charade. Valletta is not an event but a city where magnificence should reign.

louis zammit

Aug 27th 2010, 19:07

come on and stop blaming the goverment or whatever....the shops in valletta are not attractive enough to make us go and BUY.....i love to go to valletta..but there are no good shops anymore ok i maybe one or 2...shop owners should do something to ATTRACT the people back to Valletta...and stop blaming the goverment .smells. busses.Parking etc etc

yana micallef stafrace

Aug 27th 2010, 17:44

I work in valletta therefore I spend most of the day there. I used to shop for lots of even everyday stuff there . I have stopped. Why ? Parking. Park and ride is fine if you just need to go to work, it is not practical if you have shopping or shopping bags. The vans are not the easiest in the world to get into and there is absolutely no space for shopping bags. Some of them barely have space for a handbag. Anyway, park and ride is full by maximum 09.00am. When one shops one does not usually do so at the crack of dawn.

Anthony Roberts

Aug 27th 2010, 17:24

I went into Valletta this morning and the disgusting smell that there is as you get on and off the bus is overwhelming. What is this going to tell our tourists, that we really couldn't care less about what was once a most beautiful city?

Christopher Galea

Aug 27th 2010, 16:26

Fl-opinjoni umli tieghi, qatt ghadda minn mohh in-negozjanti li hemm il-belt li ma ghadux iz-zmien li kull min irid jixtri xi haga irid jidhol il-belt? In-nanna kienet taghmel hekk, kienet tidhol il-belt biex tixtri xi borma jew xi bicca drapp, xi hgiega tal-lampa jew xi par zarbun. Possibli li dawn is-sidien tal-hwienet tal-belt biss ghadhom ma indunawx li kullimkien gewwa gziritna wiehed jista jsib hwienet u stabilimenti HAFNA aktar komdi u atrezzati min dawk li jinstabu gewwa il-belt? Gieli nigi fid-dubju jekk dawn qattx hargu daru dawra barra il-belt ghax donnom ghandhom l-impressjoni li huma biss ghadhom il-hwienet. Ghall darba ohra, din hi l-opinjini umli tieghi. Nista nkun zballjat jew jista jkun li qed nghix f'dimenzjoni ohra u dak kollu li rajt kienet biss holma jew immaginazzjoni tieghi.

GiovDeMartino

Aug 27th 2010, 16:16

Min ma jridx jilghabha tad-dejjaq jasal wasla sa fuq il-Monti u jara l-handbags, dbielet, arloggi...li jrid u jipparaguna l-prezzijiet. U jara. p.e. tops li jkunu mmarkati izjed minn 10 euros u jinbieghu 2 euros. Jekk taraw lili pulit ma nkunx infaqt hames ewros biex ilbist!!!!!!!!!

emmanuel zammit

Aug 27th 2010, 16:04

why you dont make a protest like they do abroad?
or we are afraid since the goverment will no be happy.!!!!

GiovDeMartino

Aug 27th 2010, 15:54

L-internet u Tal-Lira wrewna kif kienu jisolhuna!

T Camilleri

Aug 27th 2010, 15:31

It's your government Vince. Enjoy it.

Joe Grima

Aug 27th 2010, 15:10

Vince Farrugia should send a note of thanks to his Government and to the organizers of the CTV system which penalises citizens every time they enter their capital city. I for one did not enter Valletta once on my own after the system was insatalled and have not bought a thing from anyone there since. Meanwhile the organizers of CTV have enriched themselves, while according to the GRTU, Valletta shopkeeprs have become impoverished. This is all thanks to the Government that Vince Farrugia so brazenly supports.Ghidlu Grazzi lill Gonzi Cens mhux toqghod teqred issa!

Alexander Pace Gouder.

Aug 27th 2010, 14:48

tHE REAL PROBLEM IS - THE MAJORITY OF MALTESE IN MALTA AND GOZO CAN BE RATED AS MIDDLE CLASS CITIZENS AND OF WHICH THE WORKING CLASS MOSTLY CONSISTS OF. IT SEEMS THAT MOST OF THEIR POCKETS ARE GETTING DRY - SO LESS BUYING. AND THEN WHAT IF U COME FROM A LOWER BRACKET SUCH AS MIN.WAGE EARNERS AND WHAT ABOUT PENSIONERS . THIS GRTU IS THE REAL REASON - SPEAK TO THE MAN IN THE STREET AND YOU WILL GET THE REAL REPLY WHY NO BUSINESS. THIS IS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE ISLANDS. ALSO OF COURSE THE PARKING PROBLEM IN VALLETTA ADDS TO THIS PROBLEM. AND AS SOME ARE STATING OUR PRICES ESPECIALLY ON CLOTHING,SHOES AND IN RESTAURANTS ARE SKY HIGH (even more expensive fromother EU countries the ones which have higher wages then ours). FOR OUR WAGE SCALES OUR COMMODITIES ARE GETTING TOO HIGH. SOME REAL HOMEWORK AND SOME DISCUSSION WITH THE GOVERMENT IN THIS REGARD GRTU WILL DO YOU GOOD.

Joe Vella

Aug 27th 2010, 14:43

Dear GRTU, the more Shopping centres that are opening up the more shoppers will abandon the Valletta Shops. For once the Valletta shops are facing competition. About time the Valletta shops wake up to reality, and address their marketing strategy. it is unfair for all shop owners around Malta, to have Th Government to bailout the Valletta shop owners at the expense of them all. I trust that the GRTU responsibility is to all its' members regardless where they are located.

J Farrugia

Aug 27th 2010, 14:41

GRTU had better see that the valletta business do not take their customers for a ride. That's the first golden rule. Secondly one has to see what these measures are so that one can evaluate their significance in terms of cost to the general public through his taxes. And then let's all take this GRTU with a pinch of salt.

Joe Micallef

Aug 27th 2010, 14:22

I am not expecting the GRTU to be objective, but let me give it some clues (not that they need them) why business in Valletta and elsewhere is dwindling.

1. Lack of creative input. To many shops selling the same things in the same way – They disgustingly boring!
2. Lack of business acumen. Establishing a business is not just opening the door of shop
3. Paying pittance to staff and obviously getting the same value in customer care back
4. No effective joint marketing strategies. Repeat MARKETING not ADVERTISING strategies.
5. Not realising that businesses in Valletta are competing with businesses all the way around the globe from the French Polynesia to the Kiribati. Just this week I couldn't believe my ears that a major clothes retailer in Malta did not know that the online company splashed across billboards in Malta was a direct competitor of his!!!

Add to these problems the macro fact that disposable income is at one of the lowest levels it has been for some time, and the rest is history!

Jon Vercellono

Aug 27th 2010, 14:21

Why cannot we have a tram running from the parking garage to the gate? AX proposed this in his plan for parking under the Floriana Football Ground. It seems like an easy solution. Something even like the train in Mdina. Valletta is a wonderful place and I would spend all of my time there (unlike Sliema), but having to cross the buses and etc., its just exhausting. Cannot a tunnel be built from the parking garage into the city - AX seemed to think so. His plan seemed utterly sensible and caring. And if the buses are moving, is it really hard to excavate and make more parking? and then cover it up?

victor borg

Aug 27th 2010, 14:10

I hope that the GRTU stops finding excuses for the lack of business i agree with Anton Cassar
business has been very bad every where especially since the sharp increase in water and
electricity tarrifs and very high cost of gas. GRTU thats where you should start with the govt.

ray sacco

Aug 27th 2010, 14:08

why don't we subsidise the GRTU like we do with the SGS and ryan air? isn't that what we're heading to? companies blackmailing the government to get "financial support" which, after all, is nothing but the same thing as the subsidiary which the malta drydocks used to recieve and was closed down because of it!

JOHN O SCERRI

Aug 27th 2010, 13:56

Valletta is always bustling with activity only until 1900hrs after which nearly all retail outlets close and the capital city transforms itself into a desolation area, a place where there is nothing to enjoy , a place where there is no where to go except for a cinema and the odd openair restaurants near piazza San Gorg which offer some music .

How can one expect a capital city to flourish in these conditions.

Compared to other places like bay street where shops close much later Valletta shops should consider remaining open for at least another two hours .

This can be an incentive for customers to remain in Valletta for a longer time and hence spend more money .

Many people finish work between 1600hrs and 1700hrs and time has to be give to cater for these customers to come to Valletta and do their shopping there.

Noel Borg

Aug 27th 2010, 13:53

Putting out a press release saying that Valletta businesses are losing money will make them lose more money, as nobody is attracted to negativity.

Solve such issues behind closed doors and stop putting out negative statements GRTU!

You, or the people you represent, should come up with creative and interesting ways how to attract the public...the government is spending millions to renovate the capital and keep it interesting with many major events.

Why is it always the government's responsibility or fault?

Take the initiative for something positive for once.

P.Farrugia

Aug 27th 2010, 13:45

GRTU statement seems contradictory; blaming city deterioration but at the same time stating that the government made major investment in the city. I would therefore rather blame the high prices regardless of higher competition thanks through internet.

C.Cassar

Aug 27th 2010, 13:35

Ask Agostino Pio Gatt about this. His idea is that Valletta should become another Mdina. He seems to be succeeding fairly well in his project. But as Mr Anton Cassar said, this return to Mdina-like silent cities is becoming true also of most other shopping centres. Agostino Pio Gatt is being graciously assisted by the trade department in this "return to nature" exercise.

H Galea

Aug 27th 2010, 13:18

GRTU, you only read local news, the idea is to bring every one to his knees. These are the world leaders ideas.

Karl Axisa

Aug 27th 2010, 13:15

There was and will never be a year were businesses make (enough) money. I have always heard businessmen complain that they earned less than the previous year, year after year after year after year...........and yet they still remain in business. GRTU, the problem is not the city per se , its the greed. Remember that since locally, most items cost more, it has become easier and value for money to buy online. So unless businesses downgrade their great expectations of either becoming rich overnight or to maintain a rich lifestyle at the expense of the customer..........

Besides, don't forget the rise in utility bills and low wages. To top it all, the whole world is going through a recession (with some experts predicting a double dip). Wake up and smell the coffee guys.

Joe Diacono

Aug 27th 2010, 13:12

Valletta is dying a natural death, it is virtually impossible to go into Valletta . The green resident parking spaces keep increasing as opposed to the white lines.
At this rate soon it will be impossible to go in to have a watch repaired and go out again.

Isn't it obvious that during the day residents in their majority are out at work like the rest of us.

What are we trying to achieve. A city built by gentelmen for people who cannot go in to visit without risking a fine.

GRTU together the forces who decide on the faith of this city need to sit down and find a balance, this before we are left with beautiful monuments and no character whatsoever.

Joseph Grech

Aug 27th 2010, 13:10

Valletta was taking a new lease of life when the annual vehicle entrance permit was replaced by the practical CVA system - fairly good parking was available then. Subsequently, Palace Square was embellished (good thing!) but hundreds of car spaces were never replaced (very bad thing!). Then came work on the Piano project (good thing!) which removed hundreds more unreplaced parking places.

Valletta was very sick. With the CVA and available parking it was given the kiss of life. Now, because of bad planning, it is moribund. At the moment it is close to impossible to go in by car and park...even after the shops' closing hours when entrance is free!

If the problem is not tackled urgently - we will end up with a city with a very expensive entrance which nobody wants to visit.

It is not just the shopkeepers who are suffering, it is also the many of us who would like to go to Valletta...to shop...to eat...or just to visit for an hour or so...but do not seem to be welcomed!

Marco Scotto

Aug 27th 2010, 13:07

Business is loosing money because prices are highly inflated. It is very common to find goods selling at twice the price of the price on internet.

B.Micallef

Aug 27th 2010, 13:06

Fuq il-prazzijiet ma tghidu xejn ?
Biex tixti capucino trid tahdem ghalih siegha paga. Dak prezz ? ?
Prezz daqs kemm jinbih parigi u ruma.
Dik verita.

Tony Mizzi

Aug 27th 2010, 13:04

GRTU is right the situation in the city is deteriorating. Rightly, there is no planning, but just comfusion & more comfusion.

The situation is bad not just for the business, but also for the residents, with the only difference that at least the business have someone to vioce their concern.

Sadly, us, the rsidents have no one to vioce our concerns. The COuncil of Valletta is a just a dorment institution, but how could it be different when the Mayor of Valletta doesn't even live in the city. Rather, our believe Mayor who wasn't even elected to fill that post(i.e. he become Mayor jus after Dr.Borg Olivie resgined, due to other commitments) resides in Zebbug.

I encourage, Dr.DIngli to contest the next local council election in the lcaty where he now resides.

M. Mizzi

Aug 27th 2010, 12:53

That's not the only reason why business is deteriorating. Add ridiculous prices, inexistent customer care and the internet.

adrian agius

Aug 27th 2010, 12:53

i will be closing my business next january unfortunately after 10 years :-(

N,Cortis

Aug 27th 2010, 12:51

Mr.Farrugia---to generate buisness,the general public must have extra money to spend!!!!! As it is to-day,the general public is doing it's utmost to save money so that it can cope with cost of living -----It seems that we were better off when we were worse-----(Konna ahjar meta konna ghar!!!!!).

Ian Galea

Aug 27th 2010, 12:46

When will GRTU start calling itself CSME?!

anton cassar

Aug 27th 2010, 12:36

Businesses are losing money not because of the deterioration of the city but because there is no business at all & not just in Valletta but all over the island.

G.pisani

Aug 27th 2010, 12:28

nice !!! meta kulhadd ra kbir u ried isir sinjur f sena ma tkellmitx il GRTU !