Late night shopping averts last minute madness

By Nefertiti Matatia 23 December 2017, 12:00AM

Late night shopping throughout the week and the late opening hours for supermarkets on the outskirts of Apia played a huge role in alleviating the last minute rush yesterday. 

That was the feedback from most businesses in town who say sales this year were moderate compared to previous years.

In the Apia Township yesterday, although it was buzzing, the chaotic crowds of previous years was surprisingly absent.

Apart from bumper-to-bumper traffic, town cleared up pretty quickly. By 2pm, it was almost deserted.

The Samoa Observer team spoke with some businesses about how things had gone.

At G.S.I, business was good.

Supervisor, Pilesi Vai said they had been opening late for the past few days and they were expecting a mad last minute rush as Samoans like to do.

Among the promotions they had running was a prize for a lucky customer who spends more than $50 to win a dinner for 20 people at the Jixiang restaurant.

There were many other prizes.

Away from the shops, tourism operators and accommodation providers picked up some good business.

A worker at Tanoa Tusitala Hotel said they had a good occupancy rate and they were getting a lot of diners and people walking in.

The same story came from other big hotels like Sheraton Samoa and Taumeasina. All these hotels – and others – had Christmas specials.

They are expected to be busy today with Christmas eve gatherings and dinners.

It is not just the people in Upolu who are busy; Savaii as well is also experiencing the rush. 

The ferry run by the Samoa Shipping Corporation is fully booked in terms of vehicles until next week Friday.

By Nefertiti Matatia 23 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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