December 2022 trading - a slow start
Feedback from some retailers regarding the December 2022 trading conditions encountered in areas of South Africa and neighbouring states.
Durban, KZN, SA – December trading so far "has been on the downside" by comparison with last year, said Ashika Dhanampal of men's boutique Fellows Boutique in the CBD. She said Black Friday had also been a disappointment. "We were expecting fireworks, but it was just like a normal Friday," she said.
Dave Vallabh, Bilimoria Fishing Tackle
East London, E. Cape, SA - Slow start - probably slower than last year! But it is still early days - should get better!
Afzel Tajbhai, Pakistan Trading Company
Lobatse, Botswana - Trading has generally been tough since May this year. December has been no different, yes trade is better than other months but the trend is the same in comparison with previous years, 30+ % down.
Botswana is over-traded with branded merchandise and I don’t see how money can be made on them for much longer.
Fingers crossed that things will improve.
Khalid Anwary, Anwary's
Butha-Buthe, Lesotho - Been very quiet. Had a good Black Friday.
Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA – December trading so far is "not good at all", said Umesh Mitha, member of men's branded lifestyle retailer Bad Street Boyz, which has 4 stores. "Black Friday was very good," he said, "but I don't think it has impacted on December. The problem is disposable income - or the lack of it. People want the product, there's no shortage of customers, but after they've bought food, there's not enough left, even for lay-byes. I used to ask for 10% up front for lay-byes - now I'll take R50 because at least I know they'll be back."
He said the problem lay with government's handling of the economy and infrastructure. "Load shedding costs me a fortune, but to install generators for my stores would cost about R1 million - with business as it is, how do I justify that, even if the banks will lend me that? They want R3 million in assets to lend you R1 million.
"This is a wonderful country, and I've been to lots of others, but it's being messed up, and friends in other industries tell me they are having exactly the same problems."
