With Christmas and
the New Year fast approaching, traders at the various markets in Port Harcourt are lamenting over poor sales.
The traders in a chat with The Tide said the low sales were as a result of the financial situation in the country and in the state, but expressed optimism that there would be improvement soon
According to them, government should try to pay their workers early enough so that the they would in-turn make early purchases against Christmas and the New year.
Mr. Francis Olunwa, who deals on children’s wears said, “the market is dull for now as we are expecting customers to come and purchase things for their children for the season.  But I know they will come when it’s due time.”
Olunwa noted that the poor turn out of customers could be blamed on the dwindling economic predicaments in the country and called on the government to improve the situation.
Another trader, Chief Nathaniel Agbo also lamented  the poor sales but said it was too early for some people to do their shopping for Christmas and New Year, although it was better to do so on time.  Agbo, who sells wrappers and other native wears disclosed that people purchased their Christmas wears early last year, but could not imagine what was happening this year.
A food stuff dealer, Mrs Florence Achor also decried the poor sales and expressed hope that customers would soon come when government pays workers salaries.
“I know that gradually people will come and buy things for their Christmas, that is why I also buy more goods to stock my store,” she said.
Also, Mrs Ngozi Fubara, a petty trader expressed optimism that from next week, people would flood the market and purchase things for the season, adding that traders were yet to increase the prices of their goods

Collins Barasimeye