THIS IS THE SEASON TO BE MERRY – RETAILERS ARE SMILING!!!
December 6, 2016
Â
HARRIS AT LARGE!
Â
THIS IS THE SEASON TO BE MERRY –
RETAILERS ARE SMILING!!!
 The month of December should really be designated SMALL BUSINESS MONTH. This is the time of year that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Operators are all excited about the business prospects as sales are expected to be substantial. The street side vendors, and all other operators in the retail sector welcome this time of year. Customer service skills have been sharpened to provide a quality of service beyond the expectations of their customers. My own experience a few evenings ago in a newly established community mart attests to this fact. The cashier at the checkout counter laid it all out to each customer – beautiful smile, great salutation, graceful checking of the items purchased, and an invitation to return.
Members of the Diaspora coming home, tourists who want to get the Caribbean Christmas experience and those of us at home provide the customer base for businesses in general but small businesses in particular. There is a reason for smiling faces as business persons present their offerings at this time of year. In recent years our French neighbours have been taking every opportunity to share in our festivities and their patronage is well appreciated. The small hotels in the North are mostly filled at weekends and on holidays.
The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) since 1986 is one event that we look forward to during the first week of December when the boats begin to arrive at the Rodney Bay Marina in Gros Islet. The entertainment segment of this activity is open to the public and on a few occasions I found myself in the midst of things. It was on one of those occasions that I discovered the local reggae band – 4th World based in Vieux Fort.
There is never a dull moment in St. Lucia, so many things are happening at the business, social and cultural levels. Over the next few days, there will be a number of social activities to close off the year. The caterers will be busy preparing for the many Xmas parties. In spite of the challenges of the year 2016, Entrepreneurs are still finding a way to care and share, not only among their employees but the public at large. Businesspersons are donating and sponsoring activities, and offering Discounts of 30 to 50 percent as they battle for the minds and dollars of the buying public. You can imagine what it will be like during the last week of Christmas.
It must be noted that Entrepreneurs involved in the Distributive Trade are getting ready to achieve their highest level of sales during the calendar year. Even though consumers are cash strapped, there is always a way to find money during the festive season, whether it’s the yearend bonus paid to employees, overseas remittances from family and friends, or simply receiving financial gifts from unexpected quarters. It is all about caring and sharing, happening in the midst of commercial activities that can only be experienced at Christmas, which is a very special time of year.
In today’s world Christmas is not enjoyed by Christians alone but by almost every person of goodwill, regardless of race, colour or creed. It is a universally accepted holiday season when the world is elevated to a heavenly atmosphere where there is peace and goodwill among men. I hear Silver Bells; it’s Christmas time in the city!
This year has been a remarkable year so far, and will long be remembered. With developments like Brexit, the recently held US elections, even our very own St. Lucia had a change of government. ISIS continues to cause concern for the super powers. Guyana has just been named the poorest country in this hemisphere. Who can forget such events? In spite of all that is happening in our world today, it is still a great time to be alive; our heavenly Father has a great plan for us.
This week’s recommended website is www.cipsaintlucia.com
 Remember always to Keep the Faith, knowing that God is in Charge – Dream Big and Expect Miracles!
Edward Harris
Biblicist, Author/Publisher, Business Consultant, Realtor, Networker, CSR/Small Business Advocate & Motivational Speaker Email: jobfreelife72@yahoo.com Website: www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/edharrisbiz