Despite supply setbacks leading into the back-to-school shopping season, City retailers have reported consistently strong sales as they prepare for a surge of last-minute shoppers this coming weekend.
Merchants who spoke to Barbados TODAY said economic difficulties have led some shoppers to adopt strategic buying. At Woolworths, Managing Director Martin Bryan said that while sales were brisk, certain items were selling out quickly.
“Parents have been coming in steadily. We have two more weekends to go, and the traffic has been increasing. We expect that things will get more brisk as the time gets closer. I would caution, however, that we are running out of some sizes in socks and uniforms, so the earlier the customers can come, the better for them,” Bryan said.
He predicted a final rush during the last weekend before schools reopen a week on Monday.
Managing Director at Abed’s Eddie Abed.
Managing Director of Woolworth Martin Bryan.
Sales assistant at Brydens Harriet Browne.
Bryan also noted minor issues with stock due to delayed shipments. “Some of the fabrics came in a little late. Some of our ready-made uniforms for the girls, we have been getting piece by piece because of that, but about 80 per cent of the items needed we had.”
Eddie Abed, managing director of Abed’s, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting shipment delays caused by global logistical challenges.
Natasha White looking for uniforms for her grandson at Woolworth.
“We have had some late deliveries due to all the logistical problems in the world, but we are still well-stocked,” he said. “Typically, a shipment from China will take about 40 to 45 days; this year, it is taking about 60 to 75 days. It’s all because of the war, the demand in the United States, and logistically, a lot of the steamship companies want to make money, so they are not competing. They are ensuring their ships are filled before they sail.”
Abed also noted that freight costs had increased.
“At the start of the year, a 40-foot container was running for about US$5 000 [$10 000], at the peak of this year, it was around US$12 000 [$24 000]. It is going back up because we are going into Christmas. But we at Abed’s took the decision that back-to-school needs to be as affordable as it can be for parents and those who want to assist, so we kept our prices in line.”
Shoppers looking for school supplies at Woolworth.
Abed reported that sales had been robust compared to previous years and anticipated a surge over the next two weekends. He also noted a rise in the number of families seeking assistance, with a 25 per cent increase in the number of children requiring support. “We are assisting about 1 100 children this year, which is almost a 25 per cent increase on last year. The level of need is unequalled in any other year that I’ve known.”
At Brydens, sales assistant Harriet Browne shared that, despite setbacks, sales have been good. She also anticipated a busy period leading up to the start of the school year.
“Sales are good, but they could have been better if we had all the books; the books came in late. The shipment came in late, probably because of the hurricane that passed. Also, sometimes when the representative goes to the school to get the book list, we have to wait on the teachers, and that can push us back sometimes. Some of the books we needed were also being reprinted, and that caused us some setbacks as well,” she told Barbados TODAY.
Micah Holder (left) helping his brother Matteo select a school bag in Abed’s.
Despite this, Browne noted that the store had seen a “bumper crowd” on Saturdays.
Several shoppers spoke of the financial strain of back-to-school shopping and how they were adjusting to the economic climate. Dawn Holder, a mother of two, said she had to break up her purchases into phases.
“I have been buying things in pieces – buying books and supplies one time and buying uniforms another time,” Holder said while shopping at Abed’s. “I have been calling around at different stores and checking the prices, and even if the prices differ by $3 or $2, overall it makes a big difference.”
Customers at Abded’s at the haberdashery department.
Andrew Jones said he had only just begun shopping for his ten-year-old’s uniforms and supplies due to personal circumstances. “I was medically unfit, so my partner carried the bulk of the responsibility. She put money aside, and I waited until just before school starts because when the children are home, they eat a lot and can put on size. So I wanted to make sure that when I bought clothes, they fit well.”
Natasha White, who was shopping for her 14-year-old daughter and three-year-old grandson, said she had started saving for this year’s back-to-school shopping immediately after last year’s season ended.
“I started buying material in April to have uniforms custom-made,” she added.
Jenna Deane, a mother shopping for five children, explained that she had to buy “piece by piece” and focus only on essentials due to her current unemployment.
“I will buy more as funds become available,” she said.
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
