Shopping takes off

The shoppers came out in their numbers for today’s Black Friday sales.

Two of the island’s biggest retail stores reported good sales today on one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

Management of both Cave Shepherd and Courts (Barbados) Ltd told Barbados TODAY they were satisfied with the response from the thousands of Barbadians who flocked to take advantage of the reduced prices, some as much as 75 per cent.

From as early as 7 a.m. eager shoppers converged at several stores across the island, hoping to be among the first to take advantage of the advertised sales.

Store Location Manager at Cave Shepherd’s Broad Street branch Mark Clarke said while sales were not as high as last year that was to be expected due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, he said he was still very satisfied with today’s turnout.

“In light of what’s happening and we all know that we don’t have many visitors on our shores so predominantly our sales are mainly local, but we are seeing an increase in the traffic, but again we still have a lot of people who are not employed. The sales are not what they were last year but we are still seeing the traffic in store,” Clarke told Barbados TODAY.

He said it had not been difficult to manage the crowds and customers had adhered to all of the COVID-19 protocols.

“The traffic has been pretty steady for the day so far but our Black Friday sales stretched from Tuesday and ends tomorrow. We took into consideration the pandemic and where we would usually have a 20 per cent on one day we stretched it from Tuesday to Saturday.”

Meanwhile, acting marketing manager at Courts Nayo Bowen expressed similar views.

She too admitted that sales were down on last year’s numbers, but she noted that they had still exceeded expectations.

“We found yesterday persons really came out. Today, I guess because of the traditional expectations in the market and our competitors coming out you really feel that rush and that buzz.

“In terms of the number of shoppers, the truth is, it is a little bit dampened when we compare to last year but I think given all that has happened I think it is beyond what we would have anticipated especially for people coming out into the store. All around I think we are happy with the turnout and happy with the way that we have been able to serve our customers,” Bowen said.

One of the most sought after commodities were televisions.

A man who was seen tightly gripping three 42 inch TVs said the sale was a “dream come true”.

“When one of my friends call me and tell me that the TVs were for $500 I tell my supervisor I coming back dey quick and I come and buy three; one for the house and my bedroom and the other one for my girl,” he said.

However, at the popular Sheraton Mall in Christ Church, there was less of a buzz.

While there was heavy traffic to the mall which resulted in long lines and a packed car park, many of the stores did not offer Black Friday sales.

One shopper told Barbados TODAY she was disappointed by the offerings.

“I really expected to come and find a lot of sales but only a few stores really have anything going on. I figured stores would try to take advantage of Black Friday but I guess because things so hard they can’t afford to mark down their items,” she said.

One store owner who asked not to be identified said he could not afford to have a sale this year because the COVID-19 pandemic had almost forced him out of business and he was now struggling to remain afloat.

(randybennett@barbadostoday.bb)