MONTEGO BAY, St James — RETAILERS and shoppers in western Jamaica are still celebrating the recent successful staging of the Jamaica Observer Takes Style Out (TSO).
“We did very well at both our Fairview and Savanna-la-Mar branches,” said Erica Stephenson, the marketing manager of Fontana Pharmacy.
“There was a large turnout of people who came by to capitalise on the huge discounts which ranged between 25 and 75 per cent,” she pointed out.
Many of the shoppers, she said, came before the 5 o’clock official start of TSO to cash in on the bargains.
Among the happy shoppers at Fontana Fairview branch, was Janice Marie, who told the Jamaica Observer West that she purchased household items at “great prices”.
“I got good bargains,” she said, with a broad smile.
“Some items were even discounted by as much as 70 per cent,” Marie added, as she made her way with two large shopping bags to her vehicle in the parking lot.
A celebratory atmosphere prevailed at the branch as shoppers were treated to complimentary food – courtesy of Rainforest Seafoods – and drink, while many danced up a storm to pulsating music.
At the nearby Payless ShoeSource, there were long lines for most of the night. There, several policemen were observed, ensuring that business was conducted in an orderly manner.
Over at the Bay West Shopping Centre, Marvin Campbell, the Jamaica Public Service parish manager for St James and Trelawny, was elated.
“We had a wonderful day. The support was tremendous at our eStore,” he stressed. “The turnout of our customers has just been overwhelming. They were excited about the products that we had for energy-saving devices, but most of all the discounts that we offered on items such as LED bulbs and powerbanks.”
Many other stores in the resort city also reported very good sales.
Over in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, things got off to a slow start, due mainly to the inclement weather, but rapidly picked up as the night progressed.
At Bashco, there was hardly walking space as a heavy flow of bargain hunters, from all walks of life, consistently streamed in.
The overwhelming support there resulted in the Observer West’s news team encountering a long delay in making it to the exit of the facility, as the path was blocked by long, swerving queues of persons, some pushing trolleys with mountainous goods towards the cashiers.
“We experienced a continuous flow of shoppers,” said Sean Harrison, the store manager of Bashco’s Savanna-la-Mar branch. “The shoppers bought mostly furniture, the bigger-priced items.”
Michael Gale, proprietor of Brenton’s Boutique, where mostly name brand shoes and clothes are sold, said he was pleased with the outcome.
“We did well. [TSO] is good because we can get to sell out some things that we have from long time,” Gale said.
In the meantime, several non-participating store operators, who opened until late, also cashed in on the traffic of shoppers that flowed through the town.
Sharon Simpson was one of several shoppers in the Savanna-la-Mar area who had high praises for the event.
“The discounts were awesome this year, so it was really worthwhile,” she told the Observer West.
Her friend Suzanne Brown agreed.
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TSO a success in western Ja
