Sluggishness in Trade: Mauritians Shun Even the Single-Price Stores

"We do not work as before. Our sales have dropped by 50%. People who have children give priority to the purchase of uniforms, books and school supplies in December. Others prefer to buy food, "says Sanjeev Kalapnath, responsible for the company that sells Bud a multitude of products (kitchenware, decorative objects, ...) to Rs 99.

Same conclusion in stores Pabsha - which offers 1,000 varieties of products imported from China, India, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, ... to Rs 49. "Hard to believe we are at the end of the year. We believe that this is a normal month. There has been a slowdown since the beginning of the year, "says Feroz Issimdar, director of stores Pabsha.

Sanjeev Kalapnath not hide his concern. "Sales are declining every year. Yet, our products - imported from China, Bangkok, India, ... - are already cheap, "he says. Feroz Issimdar attributes this decline to the customers' economic gloom. " "People are more cautious when they make their purchases. They understand the economic situation in 2013, "says Feroz Issimdar. Sanjeev Kalapnath and adds: "Life has become more expensive today. On the other hand, the competition is fierce. Many people import the same products. " This is however expected to have more customers during the last week of December.