Retailers in Suva are anticipating a last-minute rush in festive shopping, as many consumers embrace the trend of delaying their purchases until the final days before celebrations. Jitesh Patel, President of the Suva Retailer Association, expressed that while this year’s holiday season has experienced a slight decline in activity compared to previous years, businesses are maintaining a positive outlook.
Patel noted, “So far, it’s been a little bit of a downturn, but we expect this week it will go up.” This pattern of waiting until the last minute to shop has been consistent over recent years, and retailers across the capital are gearing up for increased foot traffic as holiday shoppers finalize their needs.
Despite the slower start, there is hope that the surge of last-minute buying will help compensate for the initial lag in sales. Patel also emphasized the critical role retailers play in ensuring fair pricing and ethical practices, particularly during high-demand seasons such as this one. “We do have a responsibility to our people, our customers, consumers,” he added, highlighting the importance of compliance with rules and regulations in the retail sector.
Encouraging consumers to participate actively in shopping, Patel reassured them that businesses are dedicated to legal and ethical standards. “We want consumers to come out and do your shopping, whatever you like,” he stated.
The significance of ethical conduct and transparency during festive sales was echoed by Diren Kapadia, Director of Brij Lal, who pointed out that a business’s reputation is especially vulnerable during peak shopping periods. “It’s reputation at stake,” Kapadia remarked, emphasizing the necessity of following consumer protection laws and conducting business ethically to maintain good standing with customers.
Retailers are committed to reminding the public that fair pricing, honest advertising, and ethical practices will remain priorities, even amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season. With optimism in the air, these businesses hope to navigate through the festive season successfully while upholding their values.