Mixed reports from traders over Christmas period
With Christmas past, businesses across the county have delved into their January sales. The Anglo-Celt caught up with a few business owners across the county to see how they were cooling down after the Christmas period.
Boyle for Men in Cootehill had a “very good” and “very brisk” Christmas period in store, with brands such as Barbour and Tommy Hilfiger seemingly on the top of Christmas wishlists. “Christmas gifting is very big for us being a menswear business so a lot of women do not know what to buy for men so clothing is always a sure bet,” MD Patrick Boyle said.
They began their January sale “straight after” Christmas, which has also proved “very good” for the store, with 20% off all stock and clearing lines of 50%.
“We reduce absolutely everything for the first month and that’s always been our policy. We can’t complain, we’re very busy online with our sales,” Patrick reported.
In Ballyconnell, Kennedy’s Spar not only had to contend with suppliers still on holidays, but also the threat of an incoming snow storm, which sent bread flying off the shelves.
“It is busy, the bit of cold weather is keeping people local and getting them away from Enniskillen and Cavan Town,” said Brian Kennedy.
The store was after enjoying a “very good” Christmas period when The Anglo-Celt called.
“We had a lot more customers this year, new customers that we wouldn’t have had last year and the year before.
“I think we had a better offering this year, our prices were better, our offers were better.”
He experienced a “good feeling” among customers who “did spend money” this Christmas.
Over in Daily Brew, the coffee shop run by his wife Lorraine, the tune was the same. “She was flat out, right up until Christmas there were people coming. All in all, it was a very good Christmas and new year.”
Spar’s new year offers began on January 2, with a ten-page leaflet packed with deals.
In the county town, women’s clothing store Sally West owner Ruth Leddy described the Christmas period as “steady”.
“I wouldn’t call it a bumper Christmas but we were steady and very, very grateful for that.”
They were extremely “grateful” for people who bought vouchers, which she said shows “confidence in a business”.
She said the way the Christmas period falls and weather conditions impact customer spending. “There’s always so many factors and, no matter what way you dance around it, I find we nearly level out the same year on year.
“I’m hoping for a bit more growth this year,” she added.
The new year sale began in Sally West on December 27 with 30% on all Autumn/Winter stock with the exception of selected pre-spring arrivals. There is also 30% off all stock on their website, with more on offer in store.
“The impact of [January] sales is lessening with Black Friday and all that sort of stuff, it hasn’t been the same I don’t think for the last couple of years.”
In Virginia, Manager of O’Donoghue’s totalhealth pharmacy Gráinne Smart said the Christmas period was “slow enough to get off the mark” and added that it was “busyish”.
“We were fierce busy after Christmas,” she said.
The store is currently offering 50% off all Christmas stock.
From a Chamber of Commerce perspective, chairperson and owner of The Sports Shop, Cllr Philip Brady, said the Christmas period was “down” on other years.
“There could be lots of reasons for it we don’t know,” he said, adding that the HSE building in the middle of the town “doesn’t help”.
“We probably lack shops within the county town itself,” he remarked.
“The online presence is a big threat to business nowadays.”
He said the new Cavan town gift card went “quite well” having just launched before the Christmas period.
“I know a couple of businesses definitely bought into it and I know there was a good few sold individually.”
In The Sports Shop, he found business “picked up” in “the last week or so” before Christmas.
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