Outbreak affects shop

By PETER ESILA
SECOND-hand clothing businesses are being affected by the state of emergency, says managing director of Labels Clothing Elizabeth Kimisopa.
She told The National that with shipping and import restrictions, sales had dropped by 40 per cent.
The firm has been operating in PNG for 28 years in 14 centres around the country and employs 180 locals.
The Kimisopa family also has businesses in construction, boarding and lodging, wholesale and retail and general merchandise, employing around 360 people.
She said addressing the Covid-19 pandemic was critical.
“Prior to the declaration of the state of emergency, we knew something like this would happen,” she said.
Kimisopa said Australia was not exporting items at the moment “so we are looking elsewhere in the Middle-East where they are processing used clothing”.
Labels gets its stock from Australia, the Middle-East and Europe.
“Now with the coronavirus, we are not getting any stock. We are just waiting,” she said.
“But, I am an optimist.
“I believe that we will turn around.
“It is a health issue. Shops will open again.” Kimisopa also said transporting goods to the Highlands was a challenge.