Christmas shopping 'a little slow' but...

With just over a week to go before Christmas, shopping is at the top of many people's to-do lists.

Although the number of people flocking to Valletta seems like a good sign, Republic Street Business Community Association president Victor Fenech Azzopardi said Christmas shopping was a little slow.

"The weather was a disaster for business. People find it difficult to shop for winter clothes when the weather is warm," he said, adding that people usually bought warm clothes when they felt cold.

The fact that there was some rain last week did not help Christmas shopping either and many people seemed to have preferred to stay in rather than brave the elements in their quest for the ideal present or the perfect outfit for the Christmas parties.

Mr Fenech Azzopardi did say however that last Monday was very good for business. In fact, Valletta was buzzing with people on Republic Day as many made the best of the public holiday and the fine weather to do their shopping. He said shopping on Monday was better than on Republic Day last year.

But the same could not be said for December 8, another public holiday.

The business community is now bracing itself for last minute shopping sprees starting this Sunday. Mr Fenech Azzopardi said some people tended to wait for their December bonus and do their Christmas shopping after cashing the cheque. He said the peak time for Christmas shopping was between December 19 and Christmas Eve.

He said the association was in favour of Valletta being accessible during the Christmas period to vehicles which did not have a Valletta licence. However, he added, when association representatives spoke to the Police Commissioner about the matter they were told that the law had to be amended for this to be possible.

The association has an agreement with the MPC car park in Floriana whereby people shopping from Republic Street are given parking vouchers.