Bargain hunters head for the sales

THE WINTER sales officially began yesterday, despite many stores actually launching theirs over ten days ago.
The start of the sales was also met with barely restrained indifference by many of Nicosians, out enjoying the sunshine on Makarios Avenue and in the old town yesterday.
A survey ten shops in the area showed that, despite all but one advertising sales of as much as 50 per cent off, the number of shoppers had not changed dramatically by yesterday afternoon.
The busiest shops were the international clothing chains, such as Zara and Topshop, and seemed to have as many customers as they did before Christmas. The least busy were, as before, the smaller independent stores.
Antonis, General Manager at the Replay clothes shop on Stasicratous Street, said: “We are satisfied with business. The sales have started but we have as many customers as before. They are very selective and will come here for the quality.”
Demetra Hartsiotis, Boss of the David Steps Group which has, among others, Camper, Kickers and Start-Rite stores, seemed too busy to notice the sales announcement. Asked how it was going between serving customers, Hartsiotis replied “Very good, busy. Let’s talk again next week.”
It was a similar story in the Diesel store, where the average spend per customer was around €200. Manager Christis Kolokassides said “Business is very good, though it was hectic before.”
The retailers’ and customers’ indifference to the Ministry’s announcement is likely because many stores had already begun their sales. Debenhams and Next, for example, put up “50 per cent off” signs on December 27.
Regarding the illegal early sales, Commerce Minister Antonis Paschalides said yesterday “The Ministry made a number of checks, observations and suggestions (to shops holding early sales). Some complied, some did not. Those who have not complied, whether large or small, will be taken to court.”
Another reason for the slow start to the sales this year might be that people have avoided legitimate shops altogether, instead opting for cheap counterfeits in the north.
Paschalides issued a stern warning for any shoppers planning on visiting the north for fakes.  “We will be making checks at the crossings and any counterfeit goods that have been purchased will be confiscated, and the shoppers punished,” he said.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.