Shopping centres jammed as residents beat last-minute Christmas rush

Residents continued flooding malls and supermarkets Monday to avoid the last-minute rush ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities.

A spot-check by the Nation revealed that prices of some commodities had been reduced to lure more customers, while others had relatively increased as traders hope to cash in on the shopping mood.

Shopping  points like Tuskys, Ukwala, Uchumi, Woolmart, Gilanis, Naivas, Vision Matt and Nakumatt’s Westside Mall have introduced offers on selected products as they run promotions.

However, prices of cooking oil, sugar, maize and wheat flour — the most sought-after commodities — had not been reduced.

Alex Korir, a shopper, expressed disappointment. “There are very many offers and promotions everywhere but none of them on essential items,” he said.

As of Monday, a kilogramme of sugar was going for Sh135, while a 2kg packet of maize flour sold at between Sh86 and Sh93.

Wheat flour was going for between Sh120 and Sh135, depending on the brand and supermarket.

LOW PRICES

The price of clothes went down, partly due to competition among traders.

From early last week, streets have been flooded with vendors. It could be good news for buyers, but it has not gone down well with shopkeepers like James Wang’ombe.

“There is a lot of stuff on sale on almost all the streets and this has greatly lowered prices,” he said. Mr Wang’ombe’s shop is on Kenyatta Avenue.

Flower and gift card sellers are also doing roaring business. Safaricom, Airtel, yu and Orange mobile phone firms have made attractive offers for handsets, tablets and laptops.

In the last one week, their shops have filled up to the brim.

Billboards have been erected in various parts of the town announcing offers and discounts on a variety of items and services.