Most of you have shaken off all the Christmas holiday excitement by now, finishing up or getting rid of the last of the turkey and black cake and maybe even pulling down a few of Christmas decorations. Everyone is gearing up for the New Year's celebration now. But for most business owners, Christmas isn't really over until they get to see those sale figures. We went to find out just how good or bad business was this Christmas. We start with Golden Bay on Marine Parade. They officially opened their new store in November and they say, business was pretty good this year.
Cynthia Cowo, Sales Agent
"The stuff we sell up here is basically household items like bathroom stuff, mirrors, basins and shower stalls."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"Downstairs as well?"
Cynthia Cowo, Sales Agent
"No, downstairs is just retail items like baby stuff and kitchen appliances. The most things that everyone buys is, people will basically come and get the souvenirs. That is everyday retail. The sales are always from there."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"For Christmas as well? This Christmas, how was it?"
Cynthia Cowo, Sales Agent
"For Christmas yes, Christmas is the same thing."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"More souvenirs compared over the gifts and stuff like that?"
Cynthia Cowo, Sales Agent
"Souvenirs and the Chinese stuff, the food and the Chinese section where we have all the cuisine. We do a lot of sales on them more. Electronics, we did a lot of sales on those this year. It was a very big improvement for that and jewelries."
As you heard, their best sales came from their souvenirs, Chinese produce and electronics. But it wasn't all that good for Mikados - in fact it was far from good. Manager Neena Mahitani told us just how blue this Christmas was for them.
Neena Mahitani - Manager
"It was really really horrible. We had expected a little improvement but denying the last days we thought everything would just come together but it not happen that way this year."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"So usually when do people actually come in for the Christmas. When do they usually see the Christmas shoppers?"
Neena Mahitani - Manager
"The Christmas shoppers are usually here like after the 15th of December you usually start to see a constant movement in the stores in and out of customers. That didn't happen this year. Last year was a much better year, this year there is a big drop. One item that I could pinpoint right away would be like rugs. People bought a lot last year, so we double the quantity that we did last year and we sold less than what we sold this year. All of that we have to study and watch for this coming year."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"You guys suffered a big loss."
Neena Mahitani - Manager
"I would say so yes. In general a big loss, a downfall of everything across the board. It's sad to say the same thing that I was feeling here I could notice in the other stores, it was all empty during Christmas."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"You mean along Albert Street here?"
Neena Mahitani - Manager
"Along albert street, when you go to the stores and you are in and out of there in like 10-15 minutes, no, that doesn't happen but happened this year."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"People really just didn't have the money this year it seems."
Neena Mahitani - Manager
"That's what I am gathering, people were out looking but..."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"Just window shopping."
Neena Mahitani - Manager
"Their pockets are turning up empty there's is no funds."
We stopped by Mirab and A&R but they declined comment. As you heard from Mahitani, the businesses along Albert Street didn't do that well either.
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