City supermarts enjoy brisk Christmas sales

By ANCILLA WRAKUALE
MAJOR supermarkets and shops in Port Moresby enjoyed increased sales during the Christmas festive season.
PNG’s largest supermarket – the RH Hypermart at Vision City Megamall – doubled compared to last year.
Operations manager Yap Seng Pok attributed the increased sales to the LNG project, which had triggered growth in employment and spending power among many Papua New Guineans.
Asked what caused the 100% increase in sales he said: “It is LNG … plenty money.”
However, he could not give the sales figures.
Yap said the shop opened at 8am and closed at 9pm seven days a week.
The same report of sales increases was received from  other shops in the city.
The TST Group of Companies estimated a 10% growth in their festive sales and said it was boosted by their Christmas lucky draws.
TST Group marketing manager Brenda Chan said sales at their shops were good.
“It was good as lots of customer are now willing to spend on Christmas decorations and some even bought lots of gifts for their loved ones,” Chan said.
She said basic food items like rice, flour, milk and others ran out fast.
Chan said their shops were busy during the three days prior to Christmas Day.
“We were very busy dealing with so many customers, with lots of them rushing for their Christmas party preparations.”
She said the TST Hamamas Christmas lucky draw generated more sales.
“All customers enjoyed and participated as they just needed to spend K30 at any TST outlet to join the lucky cash draws.
“Five lucky winners got K10,000 each,” she said.
“Since we just finished the Christmas lucky draw, we are looking forward to some lucky draws for back-to- school promotion.
“TST has always wanted the community to benefit from our promotions.
“We strongly believe that Papua New Guineans are our key customers,” she said.
Meanwhile, Courts also put on special sales and slashed prices during the week for clearance-sales before re-stocking for the New Year with new supplies of household items such as furniture, white goods and electrical appliances.
Brian Bell Group booked the Sir John Guise indoor stadium for two weeks early this month for bargain sales which customers flocked to  daily.
City Pharmacy Group and the Stop & Shop Group also enjoyed brisk sales with many customers who came during the past several days.