BASSETERRE, St. Kitts –- VENDORS plying their trade at the Amina Craft Market on Port Zante have seen a drastic slowdown in their business, which they attributed to the ripple effect of the off season for the local cruise industry.
Several vendors who spoke to SKNVibes Business stated that business is normally very slow at this time of the year, but some of them are engaged in alternative means to eke out a living.
One craft vendor explained that she would usually take time off during this period to travel overseas and return when the industry has gained momentum.
Genny Petes, a craft and clothing vendor who has been plying her trade at the market for several years, said: “For me, business is very slow, with sale being at the minimum or none at all.
On Friday (Jun. 6), when SKNVibes Business spoke with Petes, the vendor explained that she had only made US$20 in sales on the previous day, which is far below what most vendors would make on a daily basis during the tourist season.
“Most vendors will make no less than EC$200 to EC$300 during the tourist season,” she added.
She also explained that competition among vendors at the Amina Craft Market exists; a situation which she noted that all vendors are aware of and they do cope with it. But, their major problem, she said, is the unfair competition that they have with the larger businesses on Port Zante.
Petes further explained that because of the slowdown, the price of many craft products had to be reduced in order to accommodate tourists who don’t spend much at this time of the year.
“Business is very slow and, for now, we would have to change some of the prices, because we don’t get a lot of people coming in and they don’t spend a lot of money.
“We give a special price to the local people but, for tourists, we try to make it a little bit higher, because we live here and we know how things are.”
Another vendor, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that she would usually find an alternative job to fit the shortfall in her pocket.
The bright smiling young woman said that it is a difficulty all vendors face; not only those who sell craft and clothing but also the food and drink vendors.
Another one, under the same condition, told this agency that she only started selling two years ago because she loves to create craft products, adding that she is “an independent woman”.
She however declared that, just like last year, she would close her stall during this period (beginning from this week) and utilise the time to produce large quantities of craft products and jewellery in readiness for the tourist season.
