Traders in some markets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are bemoaning the low sales they are experiencing even as Christmas and New Year celebrations loom, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The traders made this known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
They blamed the situation on the nation’s economic recession coupled with low purchasing power of the naira.
Mr Isah Adamu, a cloth dealer in Wuse market, told NAN that he did not make a single sale in November, expressing hope that the economic climate will soon improve.
“Most of the clothes I sold so far were on credit because customers complained of economic recession in the country but promised to pay as soon as they receive their salaries.
“Since I stored my shop with goods two weeks ago, till this moment, I have not sold a single item but I pray things will get better some days to Christmas and New Year, “ he said.
Mr Derek Buchi, a rice dealer at Dutse market, told NAN that sales had not been high eventhough people could not do without food.
Buchi said, “the foodstuff such as semovita, rice and beans sell mostly during festivities, whether poor or rich you must celebrate Christmas and New Year.
“I filled my shop with foodstuffs and I have not sold much because most people have not received their salaries and the economic situation of the country is also an excuse for buyers,“ he said.
Mr Kingley Okechukwu, a cosmetics dealer at Wuse market, said that he was currently experiencing low sale because his customers complained about lack of money.
Okechukwu said he sold at lower prices in the past few weeks, since he needed to get his money back.
He said the decision made some customers to buy many goods from him.
“I am not bothered with the low patronage and I will soon travel to buy goods because women cannot do without making their hair and look good mostly especially during festive period.
“Most women carried their hair for a month before they retouched it but I will get new products that will attract customers soon”, he said.
Mrs Ololade Adeshina, a buyer at Utako market, said she always preferred buying items before festivities because there won’t be any rushing and the traders would not have cause to make arbitrary increase in prices of commodities.
“I came to fill my house with foodstuffs that I will need for the whole month and for the festivity because it is cheaper.
“Most of the sellers know that buyers are not ready to buy anything now and some are ready to travel, so they reduce the prices to attract customers,” she said.
Another buyer, Mrs Gloria Edward said: “The recession is affecting everybody and I pray what happened last year, won’t repeat itself because they paid December salary by January after Christmas and New Year.
“All that I bought for festive period then were on credit which I paid in January but I am preparing to use my November’s salary to buy all necessary stuff I will need for Christmas and New Year.
“I urge government to pay workers` salaries promptly and allow money to be in circulation, most especially during festive periods, “ she added. (NAN)