Vendors Complain About Sales Slump In New Castries Location

The newly erected vending booths in Castries were intended to address sidewalk overcrowding by vendors. However, the vendors have complained that sales have dropped sharply since moving from the sidewalks to their new location. The sidewalks near the government printery in Castries became a no-vending zone recently when the Castries Constituency Council (CCC) officially commissioned the new vending facilities. Peter Isaac, President of the Saint Lucia Craft and Dry Goods Vendors Association, told St. Lucia Times that vendors have observed a significant decrease in their sales since relocating to enclosed booths. “Vendors rely on foot traffic, persons traversing the streets and their items on dispaly to attract customers,” Isaac explained. “With the new booths, persons are not able to see the goods easily, and that has caused a decline in their sales.” Relocated vendors who requested that only their first names be used, agreed. Fruit vendor Thomas disclosed that his sales have declined significantly since the move because passersby do not have a clear view of his goods. “I still have to put my table outside, so people can see my goods,” he explained. Another vendor, Marcella, told St. Lucia Times that her sales had decreased to 10 percent. “Today,...