Parktown Stores: Stock shortages a big issue

Ziyaad Docrat, proprietor of online and 1 store family outfitter Parktown Stores, said overall sales have been down on last year, but with some better performing sectors.
      "Back-to-school is important for us, but this year it isn't what it should be because of the uncertainty.
      "Normal casual wear is doing quite well, probably because people are travelling less and have more to spend.
      "Weddings and other formal occasions were cancelled or postponed - there's a trickle of formal wear sales now."
      Outdoor wear is an important sector for Parktown in the May to August hunting season, which was affected by lockdown regulations. December sales of those products were probably presents, he said.
      He said stock shortages were a significant factor. "Most suppliers don't have stock, and many smaller retailers have run out of stock - or shut down. We're not importing at the moment - one shipment took a year from ordering to arrival, and it's chaotic. Suppliers are trying to source locally or from Lesotho.
      "These are very uncertain times."