ALKHOBAR, 9 November 2004 — Eid, usually the magic mantra of retail sales, is disenchanting this year for many businesses in the Eastern Province. Sales are down by 50 percent in the gold market and by 40 percent in Pakistani stores on Prince Naif Street. Only a few upscale malls and bargain-basement type stores are reporting brisk sales.
On King Khalid Street, Mohammad, the owner of a jewelry store gives a gloomy smile. Sales are down by 50 percent this year, he said.
“Gold prices are higher. You will see a lot of customers come into the store, but most leave empty-handed. I think Saudization is another factor that has hurt us. The expatriate salesmen were sharp and always managed to attract the customers; Saudis need more time and training to be as good, he added.”
I will buy my wife a nice perfume instead of gold this year,” Ali, a Saudi customer at the gold store, told Arab News. Gold is what I usually bought, but it’s too expensive. I’m sure she won’t mind.
A Bangladeshi housewife was busy examining a pair of gold earrings. When she heard the price, SR660, she said, Onaik beshi daam (too expensive) and left.
Her husband could be heard consoling her. We’ll check again after Eid, maybe the prices will go down.
At Rashid Mall, which has more than 400 stores and a daily average of 19,172 customers, business didn’t look as usual.
Business is down, said the salesman at a popular designer store. Last year we were doing great in the second week of Ramadan. This year we just picked up in the third week. The final week looks more promising.
We are getting about 25 percent more customers from Bahrain. Kids clothes sell the most, followed by women’s wear.
A young Saudi woman who refused to be identified said she was buying a ‘Punjabi’ outfit from a designer store at Rashid Mall. I saw a Punjabi model on television wear a beautiful outfit. I thought it would be a nice change to wear something different this Eid. She said her budget was SR1,000 for the outfit and a like amount for accessories.
The salesmen at Aldo were busier than usual. Our sales double in Eid, a salesman told Arab News. An average customer buys two pair of shoes. The popular colors are beige and black. We are selling on average 200 pairs of shoes and sandals every day. Business is very good. Our cheapest footwear costs SR149 and the most expensive is SR999.
He added that the only thing missing this year was Western expatriate customers. Believe it or not, this year, I’ve had not one Western customer so far.
Mohammad Sa’ad got out of a BMW that bore Bahrain number plates.
I’m here to buy clothes and some video games for my children; they will be their Eid presents, Sa’ad said. I like shopping in Saudi Arabia. Things here are at least 10 percent cheaper than Bahrain. There also is a lot of variety to choose from.
Nizar Bakhurji, a marketing staff member at Rashid Mall, said that sales would eventually go up. Saudis are spending much more money at home now. He said that casual clothes were very popular for Eid this year among both men and women customers.
In the Pakistani area of Prince Naif Street, Mumtaz, a Pakistani salesman at a store called Pace looked worried at the slow pace of business.
Our sales are down by 40 percent even though we have decreased our prices by 25 percent this year, he said. Actually the timing of Eid this year is not good for business. Most people went home for vacation, returning in early September. They either came back broke, or bought their Eid clothes back home where it is cheaper.
Taba Commercial Center was one big exception. This low-priced readymade clothes store has been receiving between 3,000 and 5,000 paying customers per day.
Traffic outside the store was a nightmare. Several police squads were there with ‘harrak’ to keep things moving. Inside there was a mad rush. People had to wait at least half an hour at the checkout counters, but nobody seemed to mind.
“The prices are great” said Ashique, an Arab shopper. “There is a lot to choose from. I can buy an outfit for my children for less than SR100.” Mohammed Al-Behez, the general manager, kept saying, “Alhamdolillah” (praise be to Allah). Taba Center is a year old and doing more business than he had anticipated. “We buy everything wholesale in Saudi Arabia. Our secret of success is customer satisfaction.
In all the frenzy of Eid shopping, at least one male customer did not look very excited. It’s good for the women and children, said the disinterested Saudi.
“For us it’s just another white thobe added to the wardrobe.”
