Cash registers are jingling

MOST large retailers in Windhoek are reporting better Christmas sales than this time last year.The manager of Musica in Maerua Mall, Courtney Schroder, told The Namibian: “Sales are definitely better than last year.”

He said DVDs and PlayStation games are selling well. “PlayStation games take the cake in terms of sales,” he added.Christa Botha, area manager for Mr Price, said sales had “absolutely gone up”.She said the big sellers are skirts, fashion tops; most women’s clothing.Irene Telemachus, manager of Mr Price Home, said their sales were up by about 10 per cent compared to last year.She said customers were snapping up items under N$100.”People go for price – N$60 or N$70 – anything under N$100.”John Vermeulen, manager of Pick ‘n Pay in Wernhil Park, said: “This year we are definitely doing quite well compared to last year.”Vermeulen cited one possible reason why business has improved this year: “People are staying in Windhoek longer this year.They used to leave around the fifth of December, now they stay until the middle of December.”He speculated that this could be because people are frightened of going on holiday because of crime.Clicks is also doing well, with specials in demand, says the administration controller of the Wernhil shop, Derick Mwangove.He said sales are better than last year and that the shop has already had to order additional stock.However, Hi-Fi Corporation, in Windhoek’s Maerua Mall, is experiencing a drop in sales.Manager Vincent van Rooyen said it is difficult to say which items are most in demand, as the store sells a huge selection of appliances like double-door refrigerators.However, he has not seen a heightened interest in home-entertainment purchases this year.”PlayStation games take the cake in terms of sales,” he added.Christa Botha, area manager for Mr Price, said sales had “absolutely gone up”.She said the big sellers are skirts, fashion tops; most women’s clothing.Irene Telemachus, manager of Mr Price Home, said their sales were up by about 10 per cent compared to last year.She said customers were snapping up items under N$100.”People go for price – N$60 or N$70 – anything under N$100.”John Vermeulen, manager of Pick ‘n Pay in Wernhil Park, said: “This year we are definitely doing quite well compared to last year.”Vermeulen cited one possible reason why business has improved this year: “People are staying in Windhoek longer this year.They used to leave around the fifth of December, now they stay until the middle of December.”He speculated that this could be because people are frightened of going on holiday because of crime.Clicks is also doing well, with specials in demand, says the administration controller of the Wernhil shop, Derick Mwangove.He said sales are better than last year and that the shop has already had to order additional stock.However, Hi-Fi Corporation, in Windhoek’s Maerua Mall, is experiencing a drop in sales.Manager Vincent van Rooyen said it is difficult to say which items are most in demand, as the store sells a huge selection of appliances like double-door refrigerators.However, he has not seen a heightened interest in home-entertainment purchases this year.