Christmas trade was good... but not good enough - GRTU

Trade over Christmas may have increased for retailers for the first time in two to three years, but the Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprise - GRTU still found little reason for cheer during a press conference yesterday.

Its director general, Vince Farrugia, said that although he was satisfied, the GRTU had expected better figures.

He was speaking during the presentation of the results of the GRTU Christmas Shopping Survey, covering the period December 13 to 31. The survey, held among a sample of 320 retailers, was conducted on Wednesday and Thursday.

Marcel Mizzi, who conducted the survey, said 41 per cent of respondents said they had a good season, 43 per cent said it was not bad and 16 per cent said it was bad.

Mr Farrugia clarified that when retailers responded "not bad" they meant that their experience was nothing to write home about but could not complain.

Twenty-two per cent said trade was five to 10 per cent better than the previous year, another 22 per cent reported an increase of 10 to 20 per cent, eight per cent did better by 20 to 30 per cent and three per cent reported a 30 to 40 per cent improvement.

Twenty-six per cent said trade was exactly the same as the previous year. Eight per cent reported a drop of five to 10 per cent, three per cent saw a drop of 10 to 20 per cent, seven per cent reported a drop of 20 to 30 per cent and one per cent said trade went down by 30 to 40 per cent in their case.

Overall, 55 per cent said they did better than the previous year, 26 per cent said the situation was unchanged and 19 per cent did worse. Thirty-seven per cent did better than they expected, another 37 per cent said did exactly as they had expected and 26 per cent did worse.

Mr Farrugia said big screens were most probably the best selling single item this Christmas. Perfumes were also very popular. December 13 was the best day for retailers.

The season was, however, a bad one for bars and restaurants. None of those replying to the survey said they had done well. Forty-four per cent said they had done badly.

Mr Farrugia said several shops remarked that the Park and Ride system had been very beneficial for their business. On the other hand, businesses outside Valletta complained of less trade.

Shop owners in villages also said they wanted more of a Christmas spirit, with decorations and activities in the locality.

While the good weather was an added bonus for retailers, it proved to be detrimental for Gozo since more Gozitans did their shopping in Malta.

Mr Farrugia referred to tonight's Notte Magica which, he said, had the GRTU's full support. The GRTU was pleased to see public entities taking part in such an activity. Such events, he said, should be organised in different villages and locations throughout the year.