By: Sainabou Sambou
Despite many users of cosmetics in the country, still the businessmen and women selling different cosmetic items in the markets and shops, particularly in Serrekunda, are complaining of low sale in this Yuletide period and New Year compare to past year.
Pastor Paul, one of the sellers at the market said the business is slow and costumers are not coming as they used to.
He said during 2020 Christmas and New Year they have lots of customers and made some sales but but this year’s business is slow, “we still trust in God that things will get better by 2022.”
He said the shop rent is too expensive and the tax too. The high price of house rent and shop rent, he disclosed, are among things that causes price hike, saying if they pay their house rent and shop rent, they will not have something to feed their families.
According to him, if the rent is expensive obviously price of essential commodities will be increased and that’s not good for the country. He therefore urged government to talk to the landlords to reduce their house rent charges and the tax laid on importers, too.
He said most of their customers complained that things are hard and price of essential commodities are still increasing.
“I think the government should talk to the landlords to reduce the rent that will determine how you sell. If you are paying high prices somewhere, automatically you are going to increase prices of your goods in order to meet your expenditure “he said.
Mrs Aderonmu is a cosmetic vendor at market he too complained that the business has slowed down compare to last year’s Christmas and New Year season. She said last Christmas and New Year they have lot of costumers who patronised them.”
Business is slowing down daily while the shop rent is getting expensive everyday so it makes them find it very to pay rent and meet up with their expenditure. “Sometimes I can open my shop in the morning till in the evening, without good sales and sometimes I go home with empty hand.”
Madam Olusegun Adelusola another cosmetics vendor said the business is too dull and costumers are not coming like before. He too pleaded to the government to help intervene in both house and shop rents charge.