Village shops are feeling the pinch of the Super 5 jackpot as it edges closer to an all-time record of €1.29 million.

Some shops have reported a significant drop in business, while ticket sales have spiked.

The jackpot has been soaring for the past 17 weeks and has now exceeded the €1 million mark for the second time this year.

Since July 30, when a single winner claimed the €350,000 jackpot, nobody has guessed the five numbers from 1 to 45, which are drawn every Wednesday evening.

As she opened her purse to pay for just one carrot and a courgette, I noticed a stack of Super 5 tickets inside

Last March, a lucky winner from Gżira claimed the first prize of €1.12 million. Though next Wednesday’s jackpot starts at €1.1 million, the final amount will be higher, as part of the proceeds from this week’s ticket sales will be added to the first prize.

A bakery owner from Ħamrun told The Sunday Times of Malta that since the last draw, business had slowed down considerably and priorities had shifted.

“This is especially the case for low-income families who are sacrificing essential everyday items like bread and groceries to buy Super 5 tickets in the hope this will be their lucky week,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by the owner of a grocer in Valletta who recounted one curious incident involving a female customer, which occurred on the day before.

“As soon as she opened her purse to pay for just one carrot and a single courgette, I could not help but notice a stack of Super 5 tickets which were tucked inside,” he said.

“This is definitely no perception as on the day of the draw, sales drop significantly as was the case of last Wednesday when business was low,” a confectionery owner in Valletta told this newspaper.

The highest jackpot ever won was in December 2007, when a single player pocketed €1.29 million. A Maltco Lotteries spokeswoman said there is no cap for the Super 5 lottery so the jackpot could keep growing indefinitely until there is a winner.